Title page
Contents
Summary 5
1. The EU accession process 8
1.1. Applications to join the EU 8
1.2. Decisions on suitability to join the EU 8
1.3. Accession negotiations 10
1.4. Revised enlargement methodology, 2020 12
1.5. Concluding the negotiations 13
1.6. Previous accession and timelines 14
2. Candidates for EU membership 17
2.1. Current candidates and applications for EU membership 17
2.2. Turkey's accession negotiations halted 18
2.3. Western Balkan states delayed 18
2.4. Enlargement fatigue in the EU 19
2.5. Russia's invasion of Ukraine gives new impetus 21
3. The Western Balkans: accession progress 22
3.1. The acceleration of the enlargement process 23
3.2. Montenegro 24
3.3. Serbia 25
3.4. North Macedonia 26
3.5. Albania 28
3.6. Bosnia and Herzegovina 29
3.7. Kosovo 32
4. Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia: accession progress 33
4.1. Initial EU response to applications 33
4.2. Ukraine 35
4.3. Moldova 38
4.4. Georgia 40
5. EU reform and challenges of enlargement 43
5.1. Developments within the candidate states 43
5.2. Calls for reforms of the EU 45
5.3. Reform proposals 46
5.4. EU preparations for reform 49
Table 1. Enlargement of the EU 2004 to 2013 16
Table 2. Current applicants for EU members, candidate status and negotiations 17