Enhancing the accession process – A credible EU perspective for the Western Balkans

On 5 February 2020, the European Commission adopted the 2020 Communication “Enhancing the accession process – A credible EU perspective for the Western Balkans” . The Communication proposes changes to reinvigorate the process based on four principles: more credibility, a stronger political steer, a more dynamic process, and greater predictability.

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Western Balkans Strategy

Adopted by the European Commission on 6 February 2018, the strategy for 'A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans' (and the Annex with Action Plan), confirms the European future of the region as a geostrategic investment in a stable, strong and united Europe based on common values. It spells out the priorities and areas of joint reinforced cooperation, addressing the specific challenges the Western Balkans face, in particular the need for fundamental reforms and good neighbourly relations.

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Annual Enlargement Package and Commission Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina's application for membership of the European Union

Each year the Commission adopts its "Enlargement package" - a set of documents explaining its policy on EU enlargement. Most importantly, this package includes a Communication on enlargement which sets out the way forward (2019 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy ) and takes stock of the situation in the candidate countries and potential candidates. In addition to this communication, the package contains the Reports in which the Commission services present their detailed assessment of the state of play in each candidate country and potential candidate, what has been achieved over the last year, and set out guidelines on reform priorities.

The Commission also issued its Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina's application for membership of the European Union, together with an analytical report that reviews, for the first time, the situation in the country against all standards applicable to EU Member States.