The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, praised the progress particularly made by Montenegro and Albania. According to her, all leaders of the Western Balkans clearly committed during the recent EU-Western Balkans summit in Tivat (Montenegro) that the EU path is their strategic priority.
During the debate in the European Parliament, MEPs supported the accession prospects of candidate countries, especially Montenegro and Albania, but also emphasized the ongoing problems and challenges in each of these countries.
Stricter Evaluation
The European Union is currently working on new rules for future member states. These rules are designed to ensure that members continue to comply with agreements on democracy, the rule of law, and other European regulations after accession.
Promotion
These may result in new EU countries having less influence on certain important decisions within the European Union for an extended period. The proposals mention periods of five, ten, or fifteen years.
Ukraine
The plans for candidate countries coincide with the already ongoing negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. Ukraine has implemented enough reforms to be admitted quickly. President Zelensky believes this should happen as early as next year, but some EU countries still have doubts.
Montenegro
Not all candidate member states are progressing at the same rate. Montenegro is currently viewed as the candidate that has advanced furthest. The country is continuing to finalize negotiations and has expressed the ambition to join the European Union in the coming years.
For other candidates, reforms remain a stumbling block. Progress in Georgia depends on improvements in democracy. The accession process for Turkey also does not advance as long as reforms on the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, and human rights remain absent. At the same time, Turkey is regarded as a strategically important partner (militarily, as a NATO member) for the European Union.