2021 European Union enlargement policy

SUMMARY OF:

Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union

2021 European Commission communication on European Union enlargement policy

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE ARTICLE AND THE COMMUNICATION?

Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union provides the legal basis for admitting a European country into the European Union (EU).
The communication on enlargement policy assesses the main developments and the progress made by the candidate countries and other western Balkans partner countries, draws conclusions and makes recommendations.
The communication on the western Balkans aims to strengthen the accession procedure by setting out a revised accession methodology.

KEY POINTS

Each year, the European Commission adopts its enlargement package – a set of documents on its policy on EU enlargement.
The 2021 package provides a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by the western Balkans and Türkiye on their respective paths towards joining the EU, with a particular focus on implementing fundamental reforms, and clear guidance on the reform priorities ahead. The assessment focuses on:
- the judiciary and fundamental rights;
- justice, freedom and security;
- the functioning of democratic institutions;
- public administration reform;
- the economy;
- the ability to take on the obligations of membership;
- regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations.
In addition to this communication, the package contains the reports in which the Commission presents its detailed assessment of the state of play in the western Balkans and Türkiye, what has been achieved over the last year, and provides guidance on reform priorities:
- Albania 2021 report
- Bosnia and Herzegovina 2021 report
- Kosovo* 2021 report
- Montenegro 2021 report
- North Macedonia 2021 report
- Serbia 2021 report
- Turkey 2021 report.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

European neighbourhood policy and enlargement negotiations (European Commission)
EU accession process step by step (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union – Title VI – Final provisions – Article 49 (ex Article 49 TEU) (OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, p. 43).

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – 2021 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy (COM(2021) 644 final, 19.10.2021).

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Enhancing the accession process – A credible EU perspective for the Western Balkans (COM(2020) 57 final, 5.2.2020).

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