The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee is set to assess the EU membership ambitions of six countries on Wednesday as MEPs vote on a series of enlargement reports covering Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
According to the European Parliament’s agenda for the week ahead, the committee will examine the latest developments in each country’s accession process, with particular attention being paid to democratic reforms, governance standards, and progress towards meeting EU membership requirements.
The votes form part of the EU’s ongoing enlargement process, which has regained prominence in recent years amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and renewed efforts by Brussels to strengthen ties with countries seeking closer integration with the bloc.
In relation to Ukraine, a draft report praises what it describes as the government’s “extraordinary efforts” to strengthen democratic institutions despite the challenges posed by the ongoing war.
The report also calls for further improvements in the rule of law and anti-corruption measures as Kyiv continues its membership application process.
Moldova’s progress will also come under review on Wednesday.
According to the draft report, MEPs acknowledge what they describe as the country’s steady implementation of EU-related reforms, while also warning about continued Russian interference in Moldovan affairs.
The committee will separately assess developments across four Western Balkan states that remain on the EU accession pathway.
A draft report on Serbia raises concerns regarding the rule of law and the country’s relationship with Kosovo, while the report on Kosovo highlights the need for continued reform efforts and “inclusive” governance.
MEPs are also expected to examine North Macedonia’s stalled accession process.
According to the draft report, the country’s path towards EU membership remains at a standstill despite years of negotiations and reform efforts.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, political leaders are being urged to end what the report describes as “obstructionism” and to accelerate reform measures required as part of the accession process.
The reports being voted on on Wednesday do not determine whether any of the countries will join the European Union. However, they provide an indication of how MEPs view each country’s progress and can influence broader discussions surrounding enlargement policy.
Joining the European Union is a lengthy process that requires candidate countries to satisfy a range of political, economic, and legal conditions known as the Copenhagen criteria.
These requirements include maintaining stable democratic institutions, protecting human rights and the rule of law, establishing a functioning market economy capable of operating within the EU single market, and demonstrating the ability to implement and enforce EU legislation.
Countries seeking membership must also show that they can adopt the obligations associated with EU membership and align themselves with the Union’s broader political and economic objectives.
Ukraine and Moldova were granted EU candidate status in 2022, while the Western Balkan countries have been engaged in accession processes at varying stages for several years. Enlargement has increasingly become a central topic within the European Union as policymakers consider the bloc’s future shape and strategic direction.