Today, the European Commission adopted its annual Enlargement Package, providing an assessment of the state of play and progress made by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Türkiye, on their respective paths towards EU accession. The assessments are accompanied by recommendations and guidance on the 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”. The enlargement process continues to be merit-based and depends on the objective progress made by each of the partners”. Montenegro is – according to the Commission – “on the way to provisionally closing further negotiating chapters”. Negotiations are continuing with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and North Macedonia. The Commission acknowledges that Serbia has made progress and recognises it is important to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. Relations with Georgia are more difficult. Negotiations with Turkey remain at a standstill since 2018. It is now for the Council to consider today’s recommendations of the Commission and take decisions on the steps ahead in the enlargement process.