EU enlargement | Euronews

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Where do Western Balkan nations stand with their EU membership bids?

As a summit is held on expanding EU membership to the Western Balkans, we look at where each country is with its bid to join.

Serbia

Letting Balkan countries into EU is in bloc's interests, says Merkel

After Serbia, Merkel travelled to Albania where she meet the leaders of five other Western Balkan states that are striving for EU membership.

Georgia

Euroviews. Georgia is still a long way off showing it adheres to EU values | View

"The recent violence in Tbilisi against a planned gay pride parade and some journalists reporting the event, one of whom has now died, show just how far Georgia still needs to go to adopt EU and UK values."

Europe News

Bosnia must step up re-alignment with Europe: Borrell

The EU's foreign policy chief said that Bosnia & Hergezovina had fallen behind on reforms needed to ready it to become a member state.

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World

“Europe is a religion and nobody can betray this religion in Albania,” said Albania's Prime Minister

Global Conversation interviews Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama ahead of the State of the Union conference in Florence and discusses the country's ongoing efforts to join the European Union.

Europe News

Splitting EU bids of North Macedonia & Albania 'not possible'

Brussels had been considering both applications alongside each other, but last week Olivér Várhelyi, the European commissioner for enlargement, told Euronews that decoupling the bids "might be an option" if Bulgaria continues to oppose North Macedonia's entrance in the bloc.

Europe News

Changing borders in the Balkans 'would lead to a bloodbath'

He was reacting to an explosive non-paper advocating the redrawing of borders of countries formed after Yugoslavia’s breakup.

World News

Why is EU silent over explosive memo on redrawing Bosnia's borders?

The implications of a leaked memo proposing to re-draw Western Balkans borders along ethnic lines are too far-reaching to be brushed under the carpet, expert Florian Bieber told Euronews.

My Europe Series

How EU enlargement apathy could push Kosovo and Albania to join forces

If Albania and Kosovo both find the doors of Europe slammed shut, they may both conclude that a federation is the next best option.

Albania

Albania sees Kurti comment on unity with Kosovo as a distant vision

"One thing is clear - Albania and Kosovo must be brought closer on all levels and must cooperate as two countries that share one common goal,” said Minister of State for Relations with Parliament, Elisa Spiropali.

Montenegro

Euroviews. Zdravko Krivokapić: Montenegro’s membership of the EU can inspire the European dream ǀ View

Montenegro is intent on becoming the next member of the European Union, and its ascension to the bloc could act as a spur for reform and change in the rest of the Balkans, writes the country's new prime minister.

Republic of North Macedonia

'Completely irrational': Skopje anger at Bulgaria’s EU membership veto

"Bulgaria’s position is completely irrational and offensive to the Macedonians and our entire nation," Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said in a video address on Wednesday.

Europe News

EU sends 'strong signal' to Western Balkans amid COVID-19 pandemic

Pledging 3.3 billion euros, the EU has reasserted its commitment to the region. It comes amid fears that some states were aligning themselves with Russia and China.

Europe News

The Brief: Circular economy, enlargement and containing coronavirus

We continue our assessment of Team Ursula's first 100 days with a look at the bloc's new policy for new members hoping to join (North Macedonia, Albania) and also at the just launched circular economy strategy.

World News

Sceptical Macron hints at change of heart on EU enlargement

Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday he is ready to lift French opposition to the opening of EU accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia.

My Europe Series

Europe on reset: Macron in Poland and new rules for new members

This week is the first without Britain as a member, and the EU was keen to reset its route. The French President was in Poland and the Commission laid out new methods for those keen to join the bloc.

Europe News

EU Commission presents new enlargement strategy amid divisions

The new strategy sets the stage for North Macedonia and Albania accession's battles - which Paris blocked last year.

My Europe Series

Europe - what's in store for 2020?

We take a look at the big issues likely to cause headaches in Brussels and across European capitals over the next twelve months.

World News

Croatia urged to push EU enlargement during presidential term

Western Balkan countries want the EU's newest member, Croatia, to push enlargement of the bloc during its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union

Europe News

The Brief: The EPP elects Donald Tusk as the party's new president

Outgoing European Council President Donald Tusk was elected as the new president of the European People's Party with 491 votes in favor and 37 votes against.