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The momentum for EU enlargement is growing: Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans are making progress towards EU membership

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated 2025-11-05

On 4 November, the European Commission adopted its annual Enlargement Package, presenting a Communication on EU Enlargement Policy and a comprehensive assessment of the progress made by pre-accession countries - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine.

"We welcome the fact that the Commission has stated that the momentum for EU enlargement is growing. But it is also important to stress that the EU's enlargement processes today would not have started if it had not been for Ukraine. I believe that the next EU enlargement wave must include Ukraine. This would significantly contribute to the security and prosperity not only of Ukraine but of the EU as a whole," says the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys.

According to the Minister, the Commission's assessment is clear: Ukraine and Moldova are not only ready for negotiations, but are also moving closer to the EU in real terms. Lithuania supports Ukraine and Moldova in the process of opening the EU accession negotiations as fast as possible. These two candidates must stay together on the path towards EU membership.

The Communication announces that the enlargement process is moving faster today than in the last 15 years. EU candidate countries, Ukraine and Moldova, have successfully completed the bilateral screening process for EU legislation conformity. According to the Commission, Ukraine and Moldova are ready to start negotiations on EU membership. Their ongoing rapprochement with the EU is also illustrated by concrete results: from 1 January 2026, the countries will be integrated into the EU's "Roam like at home" area, allowing their citizens to use mobile services without extra charges, while Moldova has officially already became an operational part of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), which allows for euro payments to be made under the same conditions as within the EU.

The Commission underlines that following a merit-based approach is still key to the EU accession process. It is also important that future Accession Treaties should contain stronger safeguards against backsliding on commitments to ensure that new member states continue to maintain their track record on the rule of law.

In its assessment, the Commission has identified serious challenges in both Georgia and Serbia, citing a decline in democracy, erosion of the rule of law, and human rights issues. These problems are hampering their progress toward EU integration and raising questions about their strategic commitment.

Every year, the Commission adopts the Enlargement Package that outlines the main provisions and orientations for its policy for the EU's enlargement for the coming year.

For more information on the documents adopted by the European Commission, please click here.