Eastern & Central Europe

Latest news about eastern and central Europe and EU enlargement. Since it was founded in 1958, the EU has regularly accepted new member countries. Each applicant country must meet certain requirements before membership is permitted. Regular enlargements have seen the EU grow from its original 6 founding members to 28 in 2013. Any country that satisfies the conditions for enlargement can apply to be a candidate. The European Commission, at the request of the European Council, assesses the applicant’s ability to meet the conditions of membership. If the opinion is positive and the Council agrees a negotiating mandate, discussions are formally opened between the applicant and the EU. At the start of 2013, five countries had been accepted as EU candidate countries: Iceland, Montenegro, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo (under UN Security Resolution 1244) have the status of potential candidates.

Accelerated reforms drive progress to wider EU membership — 06 November 2024, 00:23 CET

The EU's annual Enlargement Package, adopted Wednesday by the European Commission, details the progress made by the candidates for EU membership amidst the current "tense geopolitical context".

MEPs approve EUR 35bn loan to Ukraine backed by Russian assets — 24 October 2024, 00:22 CET

The European Parliament gave its green light Tuesday to an extraordinary loan of up to EUR 35 billion to Ukraine, to be repaid with future revenues from frozen Russian assets.

EU agrees EUR35bn loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets — 09 October 2024, 22:57 CET

The EU agreed a loan to Ukraine of up to EUR 35 billion Wednesday, as well as a loan cooperation mechanism supporting Ukraine in repaying loans of up to EUR 45 bn provided by the EU and G7 partners.

EU sets new framework for Russia sanctions over destabilising activities — 09 October 2024, 00:31 CET

The European Union issued a strong condemnation Tuesday of Russia’s intensifying campaign of hybrid activities against the EU such as cyber-attacks and information manipulation.

EU sends first EUR 4.2 bn reconstruction payment to Ukraine — 16 August 2024, 23:25 CET

Ukraine is set to receive close to EUR 4.2 billion in funds after EU states gave the green light to the first regular payment of grants and loans under the EU's Ukraine Facility.

EU paves way for EUR 4.2 bn Ukraine support — 18 July 2024, 17:00 CET

The Commission gave a positive assessment Wednesday for the EU's first regular payment under the EU's Ukraine Facility to support the country's financial stability and public administration.

EU welcomes one-year roaming extension for affordable Ukraine calls — 10 July 2024, 23:34 CET

The EU welcomed the extension Wednesday of a voluntary agreement between European and Ukrainian telecoms operators to ensure refugees from Ukraine can stay connected across borders.

EUR 1.2 bn EU funding for W. Balkans infrastructure, entrepreneurship — 04 July 2024, 00:16 CET

The European Commission announced Tuesday the sixth investment package under the EU's Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans expected to mobilise €1.2 billion in investments.

Hungary takes over EU Council presidency — 04 July 2024, 00:15 CET

Hungary began its six-month stint as president of the EU Council on 1 July, vowing to 'Make Europe Great Again', with a focus on competitiveness and stimulating growth, and curbing illegal migration.

EU leaders sign security pact with Ukraine — 02 July 2024, 18:01 CET

EU leaders at a summit underlined their strong support for Ukraine in its war with Russia with the signing of a security agreement, military and financial support and the start of accession talks for EU membership.

Bulgaria makes most progress on euro convergence — 30 June 2024, 19:31 CET

Bulgaria has fulfilled all but one of the conditions for adoption of the euro single currency, the European Commission found Wednesday, as it published its 2024 Convergence Report.

EU opens historic accession talks with Ukraine — 26 June 2024, 22:57 CET

As Russia's war continues to rage on Ukrainian territory the EU on Tuesday held the first Intergovernmental Conference at ministerial level to open historical accession negotiations with Ukraine.

LNG energy measures in latest EU sanctions package against Russia — 25 June 2024, 19:09 CET

The EU adopted a 14th package of sanctions against Russia Monday, with new energy-related measures targeting liquified natural gas (LNG), and measures targeting vessels supporting Russia's war.

EU, Ukraine update and extend road transport agreement — 20 June 2024, 18:24 CET

The EU and Ukraine extended their road transport agreement Thursday, which helps Ukraine access world markets by facilitating transit through EU countries and strengthens its links with the EU market.

EU extends sanctions on Russia for another year — 17 June 2024, 19:14 CET

The EU Council decided Monday to renew the sanctions introduced by the EU in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, until 23 June 2025.

EUR 1.4bn EU guarantee and grant agreements to support Ukraine recovery — 12 June 2024, 18:45 CET

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced the signature Tuesday of EUR 1.4 billion in new guarantee and grant agreements to support Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction.

Higher EU tariffs on Russian, Belarusian products — 04 June 2024, 00:00 CET

The EU Council adopted Thursday a regulation which will significantly increase tariffs on imports into the EU of certain products from Russia and Belarus.

EU agrees use of profits on Russian assets for Ukraine — 22 May 2024, 00:18 CET

As Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU adopted Tuesday a set of legal acts to use net profits from Russian sanctions for military support to Ukraine, as well as for reconstruction.

EU extends trade support to Ukraine for another year — 13 May 2024, 23:53 CET

The suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports to the EU is to be extended for another year, following Monday's adoption by the Council and April 23 vote in the European Parliament.

EUR 4.5m research funding for 324 Ukrainian scientists' projects — 08 May 2024, 01:02 CET

The European Commission tripled an initial budget of Horizon Europe's EURIZON Fellowship Programme Thursday to EUR 4.5 million to provide continuous support to Ukrainian research.

Oil import dependency at highest point in 2022 — 17 April 2024, 22:37 CET

EU import dependency for the entire family of crude oil and petroleum products surged to a new record high of 97.7% in 2022, according to figures published Tuesday from EU statistics agency Eurostat.

Trade support for Ukraine extended, more protection for EU farmers — 09 April 2024, 00:44 CET

The European Parliament and EU Council reached a new provisional agreement Monday to extend temporary trade measures for Ukraine, as well as safeguard measures to protect EU farmers.

Bulgaria and Romania join border-free Schengen area — 03 April 2024, 00:33 CET

Rules of the border-free Schengen zone applied to Bulgaria and Romania from 31 March, including on issuing Schengen visas and lifting controls at internal air and sea borders.

EU to increase tariffs on imported grain products from Russia, Belarus — 25 March 2024, 19:05 CET

The EU Commission proposed Friday to increase tariffs on imports into the EU of cereals, oilseeds, and derived products from Russia and Belarus, including wheat, maize, and sunflower meal.

EU summit looks to use Russia assets to support Ukraine — 22 March 2024, 20:52 CET

EU leaders ending their two-day summit Friday agreed to make possible the use the windfall profits from Russia’s immobilised assets to support of Ukraine, including with military equipment.