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European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)

Strategy and Reports

Enlargement Package 2023

Each year the Commission adopts its "Enlargement Package" - a set of documents explaining its policy on EU enlargement. The core of this package is a Communication on enlargement, which takes stock of the developments over the last year. It examines the progress made by the candidate countries and potential candidates, the challenges encountered and reforms to be addressed and sets out proposals for the way forward. In addition to the main Communication, the package contains the Reports in which the Commission services present their detailed annual assessment of the state of play of the reform progress in each candidate country and potential candidate over the last year. These assessments are accompanied by recommendations and guidance on the reform priorities.

2023 Enlargement Package

On 8 November 2023, the European Commission adopted its 2023 Enlargement Package, providing a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by the Western Balkans, Türkiye, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine on their respective paths towards the European Union, with a particular focus on implementing fundamental reforms, as well as clear guidance on the reform priorities ahead.

Remarks by Commissioner Várhelyi in AFET to present the 2023 Enlargement Package

Enhancing the accession process – A credible EU perspective for the Western Balkans

On 5 February 2020, the European Commission adopted the 2020 Communication “Enhancing the accession process – A credible EU perspective for the Western Balkans” . The Communication proposes changes to reinvigorate the process based on four principles: more credibility, a stronger political steer, a more dynamic process, and greater predictability.

Read more here.

Western Balkans Strategy

Adopted by the European Commission on 6 February 2018, the strategy for 'A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans' (and the Annex with Action Plan), confirms the European future of the region as a geostrategic investment in a stable, strong and united Europe based on common values. It spells out the priorities and areas of joint reinforced cooperation, addressing the specific challenges the Western Balkans face, in particular the need for fundamental reforms and good neighbourly relations.
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Previous documents

Key documents