Enlargement package: merit is being rewarded
Renew Europe welcomes the Commission’s Enlargement package and the new roadmaps for the candidate countries that have made the most progress: Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine, presented today in the EU parliament. Our message is clear- enlargement is delivering and has become a strategic necessity for Europe’s security and prosperity, the reforms made are paying off and the long term effects will benefit all Europeans.
Today’s package reflects many of Renew Europe’s priorities. Our group welcomes the progress of the frontrunner Montenegro and that the finish line of its accession process is now within sight. It is more important than ever to keep enlargement a political priority for the EU. EP rapporteur on Montenegro, MEP Marjan Šarec commented:
“Montenegro has delivered real progress on the rule of law, the fight against corruption and the strengthening of independent institutions. The new accession roadmap gives this progress a clear direction and a timeline. Now it is our turn to deliver - merit must be rewarded, and the process must not be held hostage by bilateral disputes or political hesitation.
Montenegro's success matters far beyond its borders. It proves to the whole region that the European path works - the country is on track to become the EU’s 28th member state. I call on the Commission to keep up this momentum, and on the European Parliament to give Montenegro its full support on the final stretch. Montenegro's place is in the European Union.”
Marjan ŠarecRenew Europe MEP, Slovenia, Gibanje Svoboda
The new four roadmaps will bring predictability while progress stays tied to reforms. Dan Barna, Renew Europe Vice president said:
“Moldova’s remarkable commitment to fundamental reforms and European alignment—achieved despite severe external pressures and destabilisation attempts—clearly demonstrates the country's irreversible dedication to its European future. I salute the European Commission’s roadmap for 2027, which establishes an ambitious yet realistic pathway and anchor for the accession process. With clusters already open and vital integration steps underway, I have every confidence that Chișinău will meet all interim and provisional closing benchmarks set out for 2027. Maintaining this decisive momentum gives us assured hope that Moldova will successfully reach its historic objective of concluding accession negotiations in 2028.”
Dan BarnaRenew Europe MEP, Romania, Uniunea Salvați România
The EU enlargement policy remains strictly merit-based, and both the candidates and the EU must be ready. MEP Petras Auštrevičius, EP rapporteur on Enlargement commented:
“In light of the challenging geopolitical situation and the EU’s own interests, it is more important than ever to maintain the EU’s political priority on enlargement.
I would like to congratulate the European Commission on drawing up new roadmaps for the candidate countries that have made the most progress: Albania, Moldova, Montenegro and Ukraine.
While we are on the right track, it is our responsibility to undertake internal EU reforms in preparation for enlargement, ensuring that the institutional dimension does not hinder the process itself, and that we are able to meet the expectations of frontrunners and to continue building a strong Union that can protect and empower its citizens. ”
Petras AuštrevičiusRenew Europe MEP, Lithuania, Liberalų Sąjūdis
For Liberals and Democrats, in a world increasingly affected by war, hybrid threats and great-power rivalry, EU enlargement is a strategic necessity. Renew Europe will keep pushing for an ambitious and strictly merit-based process, and for EU reforms.