Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova are the last official candidate countries. On Thursday night, EU heads of state and government surprisingly reached an agreement. An overview of the long list of candidates.
EU heads of state and government paved the way for the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and also granted Georgia official candidate status. Below is a list of countries that are interested in joining the EU or that are already official candidates for membership.
Ukraine – candidate since 2022
The former Soviet republic applied for EU membership four days after the start of Russia's war of aggression in February 2022 and received candidate status in June. In December 2023, EU heads of state and government decided to start accession negotiations. Closer relations between the EU and Ukraine have existed for almost 30 years. In 1994, the international community signed a partnership and cooperation agreement with Ukraine, which came into force in 1998. Europe's second largest country in terms of area after Russia became a priority partner of the EU in 2004, and the Association and Trade Agreement entered into force in 2017.
Republic of Moldova – candidate since 2022
A few days after Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova also submitted its application for EU membership. The state also once belonged to the Soviet Union. At the EU summit in December, Member States confirmed the start of accession talks. There has been an association agreement with the Republic of Moldova since 2016, which also includes a broad and comprehensive free trade zone. As a prerequisite for starting accession negotiations, the European Commission called on the country to reform its judicial system, reduce bribery and organized crime, get rid of oligarchs and reform public administration and finance.
Georgia – candidate since 2023
EU governments granted Georgia candidate status in December 2023. An association agreement has existed between the EU and Georgia since 2016.
Türkiye – candidate since 1999
Officially, Turkey is still a candidate for membership, but negotiations have been frozen for many years. The main reason for this is concerns about human rights and governance. EU membership for the country with 85 million inhabitants is not currently part of the political debate.
Serbia – candidate since 2012
With its seven million inhabitants, the country is the largest of the Western Balkan countries seeking to join the EU. A Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU has been in force since 2013. Accession talks began in 2014. In February 2018, the EU expressed the hope that Serbia could join the community by 2025, but also considered this too ambitious . The EU is betting that Serbia's influence in the region could have a positive impact on other countries' reform efforts.
Montenegro – candidate since 2010
The Adriatic state applied for EU membership in 2008, and accession negotiations began in 2012. The EU Commission hopes that Montenegro, like Serbia, can join the union this decade.
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Albania – candidate since 2014
Montenegro's southern neighbor submitted its candidacy in 2009. Accession talks officially began in 2022, after Albania met EU conditions. These included changes to the judicial system, the fight against corruption and organized crime, intelligence services and public administration. However, the EU is linking Albania's membership application to that of North Macedonia. This, in turn, is at odds with its EU neighbor Bulgaria.
North Macedonia – candidate country since 2005
The country received the green light for accession talks in 2020 after changing its name from Macedonia to North Macedonia. Previously, a decades-long dispute with Greece over the country's name was resolved. However, a linguistic conflict with Bulgaria is preventing the start of official accession talks.
Bosnia and Herzigowina – candidates since 2022
The country submitted its application for EU membership in 2016. In December 2023, EU leaders decided that they would begin accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the required level of compliance with the accession criteria was achieved. The emphasis is on democracy and the functioning of the State, the rule of law, fundamental rights and the reform of public administration. The EU wants to review progress in March 2024.
Kosovo – Stabilization and Association Agreement since 2016
The landlocked country separated from Serbia in 2008. Five EU states do not recognize it: Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia. The EU is trying to mediate to improve the tense relationship with Serbia. This is also a condition for being able to negotiate membership. But that's still a long way off. A Stabilization and Association Agreement has been in force since 2016, which is intended to serve as a basis for the accession process. (APA)