EU prepares roadmaps for the accession of four candidate countries, including the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine (Politico)

The European Union is preparing roadmaps for Montenegro, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Albania, the most advanced candidate countries, to provide them with a clear, phased path towards accession. The proposals are being drafted by the European Commission and aim to accelerate a process that has been ongoing for years, amid geopolitical pressures and Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The plans will specify the reforms each country must implement, indicative deadlines for closing negotiating clusters, and the obligations of member states, which must unanimously approve the process moving forward. According to officials cited by POLITICO, fulfilling the essential reforms could give the four countries clearer political guarantees regarding their accession prospects, without removing the requirement that the process be tied to concrete results.

Kosovo, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will not receive such roadmaps for the time being, while negotiations with Georgia, Turkey and Serbia are affected by concerns about democratic and judicial backsliding.

The Commission is also preparing a review of its pre-accession policy, which is expected to be presented on October 6. The document proposes the gradual integration of candidates into European projects and benefits. EU leaders will discuss enlargement and internal reforms at the summit in Brussels on October 15.