Timeline for EU accession of Montenegro and Albania announced: first expansion since 2013

The European Commission outlined a timeline for candidate countries' EU accession based on their reform progress. Montenegro and Albania, along with Ukraine and Moldova, are advancing but lack a set accession date. Ukraine aims to conclude negotiations by next year, though the Commission deems this ambitious, requiring significant reform acceleration. Other candidates like Serbia and North Macedonia face stalled negotiations. Montenegro's accession would mark the EU's first expansion since 2013, following Croatia's membership. Ursula von der Leyen emphasizes the importance of building a stronger EU.