EU assesses candidates’ progress in ten country reports

The European Commission (EC) analyses the accession prospects of all ten prospective members of the EU in a new set of reports on how the countries measure up to the criteria for governance, judicial independence and democratic standards required to join the bloc.

The EC publishes an annual detailing of its recommendations for the enlargement process, along with reports evaluating the progress and current status of candidate and potential candidate countries on their journey toward EU membership, which include recommendations and guidance on key reform priorities.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “The tense geopolitical context makes it more compelling than ever that we complete the reunification of our continent, under the same values of democracy and the rule of law.

“We have already taken great strides over the last years towards integrating new Member States. And enlargement will remain a top priority of the new Commission,” she added.

On the prospects of the nine Balkan countries and Ukraine, the EC called enlargement “a historic opportunity both for the acceding countries and for the current member states and the EU as a whole”, because “there are significant socio-economic, political and security advantages of a bigger and stronger Union.”

Ukraine at war, but with EU support

The European Council in December 2023 decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, following the EC’s recommendation in November 2023.

In its country report, the EC acknowledges the challenges of Ukraine’s military conflict with Russia but underscores its resilience in pursuing EU integration, focusing on governance and economic criteria. Since the beginning of the Russian aggression, the EU and its member states have mobilised almost EUR 122bn in support of Ukraine.

On Ukraine’s war effort, the EC said despite the ongoing military conflict, Ukraine has demonstrated remarkable resilience in advancing its European integration agenda, focusing on judicial reforms and economic stabilisation.”

Key issues include a need for stronger institutional frameworks and continued efforts to combat corruption – critical for enhancing public trust and political stability. On governance and institutional frameworks, the EC said “Ukraine’s governance structures remain fragmented and underdeveloped, requiring significant reforms to align with EU standards.”

On corruption, the EC wrote that “The persistence of systemic corruption continues to undermine public trust, with effective anti-corruption measures being critical to political and economic stability.”

Serbia still officially committed to EU

Serbia has opened 22 out of 35 chapters since opening accession negotiations in January 2014. However, the Balkan country’s continued stagnation in accession negotiations is a recurring theme in the 2024 report. Progress has been slow, and Serbia’s political climate is fraught with tension, the EC wrote, adding that “Serbia needs to take tangible steps to strengthen judicial independence and ensure that anti-corruption measures are effectively implemented. The political environment remains polarised, which continues to impede the necessary reforms,” the EC added.

The EU calls for renewed commitments from Serbia to enhance governance structures, prioritize judicial independence, and actively combat corruption. “Efforts to improve governance structures must prioritize transparency, accountability, and alignment with EU standards. The slow pace of negotiations reflects insufficient progress on key chapters, particularly those concerning the rule of law and democratic institutions,” the EC underlined.

Albania still has work to do on corruption

Following the first Intergovernmental Conference on Albania’s accession negotiations in July 2022, the screening sessions for all six clusters were completed in November 2023.

Albania’s report notes advancements in judicial reform but persistent challenges surrounding corruption and political interference. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government is urged to accelerate its implementation of EU guidelines, fortifying judicial independence and ensuring accountability within public institutions to solidify EU membership aspirations.

On judicial reforms, the EC said “Albania continued implementing the justice reform and the vetting process, which led to significant improvements in the functioning of the judiciary that must be maintained”​. It added however that “Concerns remain about attempted political interference and pressure on the judicial system and shortcomings in the merit-based appointments of non-magistrate members”​.

Regarding the fight against corruption, the EC recalled that “The Specialised Structure for Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime has continued to produce good results by further advancing in the prosecution and investigation of complex anti-corruption cases, including those involving high-level politicians and officials,” but added that “corruption remains a serious concern and preventive efforts have had a limited impact”.

On EU integration, the EC said Albania has “continued to show its commitment to EU integration”, noting that “a new major reform process on ‘good governance, rule of law and anti-corruption for Albania 2030’ was launched by Parliament”, although it currently lacks cross-party support.

BiH bid in danger of becoming stagnant

The EC decided to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in March, but its country report rues the inertia around the country’s accession process, blaming complex internal politics and the need for more cohesive governance structures to promote inclusivity and functionality. It wrote, “Political and institutional fragmentation continues to obstruct governance at all levels, significantly delaying necessary reforms and eroding public trust in democratic institutions.”

Addressing the fragmentation of political authority is pivotal for advancing towards EU aspirations and efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and engage civil society will be critical for any potential reforms, according to the EC. “Strengthening the functionality of democratic institutions and ensuring the rule of law are pivotal for BiH to progress on its EU path,” according to the EC.

The EC concluded that to move forward in the accession process, BiH “must prioritise inclusivity, ensuring all voices in its multi-ethnic composition are represented in policy-making and governance.”

Kosovo makes slow progress

Kosovo applied for EU membership in December 2022, but is still facing acute challenges related to governance and institutional integrity, according to the EC, which warns that systemic judicial flaws and limited civic engagement are hindering meaningful advancement.

“The systemic inefficiencies within the judiciary, including delays in case resolution and inadequate enforcement of court decisions, remain a critical concern,” the EC wrote, adding that “Strengthening the independence and impartiality of judicial institutions is essential to restore public confidence and align with EU standards.”

Immediate reforms are necessary to enhance the rule of law and ensure that decisions align with EU standards. Addressing these shortcomings is essential for Kosovo to solidify its path towards EU membership, the EC argued. “Reform efforts must prioritise transparency and accountability to address widespread perceptions of corruption within public institutions,” the report underlined.

North Macedonia still committed to strategic goal

Following the first Intergovernmental Conference on accession negotiations in July
2022, the screening sessions for all of North Macedonia’s six clusters were completed in December 2023. North Macedonia’s report highlights both economic growth and ongoing political challenges as critical factors in its EU accession journey. It wrote hat the Macedonian economy has “demonstrated resilience with GDP growth driven by robust private consumption and export performance, yet high unemployment persists, notably among youth and women”.

While the economy shows promise, high unemployment rates and governance issues remain pressing. “The unemployment rate remained elevated, particularly for women and young people, highlighting the urgent need for targeted labour market interventions and active employment policies.” Reform efforts must concentrate on improving the labor market and further reducing corruption, which are essential for ensuring that North Macedonia remains on track for EU membership, the EC said.

On governance and corruption, the EC advised that “Efforts to combat corruption require stronger enforcement mechanisms, as well as enhanced transparency and accountability across public institutions.”

Montenegro – polarised but stable

Accession negotiations with Montenegro were opened in June 2012. However, Montenegro’s accession report outlines significant hurdles due to political instability that hampers EU integration efforts. The report emphasises that resolving internal political strife is essential for establishing a conducive enabling environment for reform.

According to the EC, “Montenegro’s political stability remains fragile, with deep-seated divisions affecting the functionality of institutions and hampering reform efforts. Addressing internal political tensions is crucial to fostering a collaborative environment among political actors and ensuring alignment with EU accession priorities.”

The EC advised that Montenegro to actively engage in democratic reforms and foster collaboration among parties to ensure alignment with EU accession criteria. “Key areas of concern include the judiciary and public administration, where reforms must accelerate to meet EU benchmarks and improve governance.” “A cohesive strategy to strengthen democratic institutions and rule of law remains essential for Montenegro to advance on its EU path,” it wrote.

Georgia country report curate’s egg

The European Council granted Georgia EU candidate status in December 2023, but the country’s accession report is a mixed bag, with the government scoring success in public administration reforms but falling short in media freedom and hate crime legislation.

Efforts must concentrate on ensuring the safety of journalists, the report comments, adding that clearer political commitment towards EU integration and coordination among political parties to facilitate reforms is required.

On media freedom the EC wrote that “discrediting rhetoric against media professionals by high-level public officials and politicians created an increasingly hostile environment, threatening media freedom, pluralism, and the safety of journalists. The adoption of the Law on the transparency of foreign influence negatively impacts freedom of expression and the ability of the media to operate freely,” it added.

Regarding public administration reforms, the EC underlined that “Georgia’s civil service continues to present some fragmentation, with a lack of clarity of the role and scope of legal entities of public laws, limited standardisation of procedures, and limitations in the effective application of public service legislation.”

Moldova continues to progress on EU path

The European Council decided last December to open accession negotiations with Moldova, following its application for EU membership in March 2022. In its new report, the EC acknowledged that Moldova has shown commitment to judicial reform, but warned that its judicial system remains ‘”overburdened and vulnerable to undue influence”.

“Efforts to combat corruption are ongoing, but enforcement remains ‘fragmented and inconsistent,’ impacting public trust,” the EC wrote, adding that “economic stability in Moldova is hindered by ‘structural vulnerabilities and limited capacity to absorb EU financial assistance effectively. Strengthening independent institutions and fostering greater civic engagement are ‘imperative for sustaining the reform momentum,” the EC concluded.

Turkiye’s accession bid hits quarter century

The 2024 report on Turkiye, which was recognised as a candidate for full membership in 1999, indicates a profound stagnation in accession negotiations since 2018, primarily due to ongoing concerns surrounding democratic standards, the rule of law, and human rights violations.

“A comprehensive strategy for public administration reform is urgently required to enhance governance and align practices with European standards,” the EC wrote, adding that “failure to address human rights concerns raised by the European Court of Human Rights remains a significant obstacle to EU integration efforts.”

New tools, funding boost socio-economic growth in partner countries

The EC underscores that it is “bringing forward some of the benefits of single market and providing increased financial assistance.

“In addition to the successful Economic and Investment Plans, the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans with its EUR 6bn Reform & Growth Facility and the EUR 50bn Ukraine Facility are incentivising reforms, with justice and the rule of law at the core. In the same vein, on 10 October 2024, the Commission presented the Growth Plan for Moldova with its EUR 1.8bn Reform & Facility to support its socio-economic reforms and boost investment,” the EC recalled.