EU Enlargement Moves Forward as Ukraine Moldova Bosnia and Herzegovina Georgia EU Candidate Status Highlighted
Poland welcomed a European Commission recommendation that moves toward starting accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, and, conditional on reforms, with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Georgia was also granted the status of an EU candidate. These steps align with Poland’s active role in promoting EU enlargement during its 2025 presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The Polish presidency underscored that enlargement remains a central priority for 2025. The Commission’s guidance envisions launching negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova promptly, with Bosnia and Herzegovina eligible for talks subject to continued progress. Georgia’s new status as an EU candidate adds a formal milestone in the broader eastern enlargement effort.
The decision, if endorsed by all EU member states, would mark the EU’s first-ever negotiation phase with a country currently facing war, highlighting the union’s commitment to stability and reform even amid conflict.
Ukraine entered an EU application in February 2022 and received candidate status in June 2022, setting the stage for subsequent negotiations and reforms aimed at meeting EU standards.
Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: the Commission today recognised a series of reforms and opened the door to negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. It also indicated the possibility of starting talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina. There was a hopeful note that EU leaders would approve the path forward in December. This update appeared on the ministry’s X profile.
Ukraine and Moldova move a step closer to EU membership as the Commission further recognises reform progress, with Bosnia and Herzegovina also given the potential to begin negotiations. The ministry highlighted these developments on its X feed.
Officials emphasised that the recommended candidate status for Georgia reflects positive momentum in the region. They urged maintaining the momentum of enlargement across the Eastern Partnership countries and the Western Balkans as essential for regional stability and growth.
The European Commission’s Wednesday report on Ukraine’s preparation for EU membership reiterated the recommendation to begin accession talks with Ukraine. Similar steps were noted for Moldova, with Bosnia and Herzegovina considered for negotiations under certain conditions. Georgia received candidate status as part of this package of decisions.
Should EU member states accept the Commission’s guidance, the bloc would initiate negotiations with a country at war for the first time in its history, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to support reforms and resilience in candidate countries.
Ukraine pursued EU membership starting in February 2022 and was granted candidate status in June 2022, marking a significant milestone in its reform and integration process.
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Source: wPolityce