review-enlargment-policies – Albanian Telegraphic Agency.

Von der Leyen: Commission to present review of EU enlargement policies next week

Sonila Mehmeti — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 17:27:31 +0000

TIRANA, Sept 30 /ATA/ European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU enlargement process is a two-way process, stressing that alongside candidate countries preparing for membership, the EU itself must also be ready to welcome new members.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, von der Leyen said the European Commission would present its review of enlargement policies next week.

“You are preparing in Albania, but we are preparing too, because enlargement is a two-way process. The EU must also be ready to welcome new members,” she said.

Von der Leyen said the review would cover the EU’s institutions, policies and budget, with the aim of ensuring the bloc is prepared for future enlargement.

“That is why, next week, we will present our review of enlargement policies. We will examine our institutions and policies, as well as our budget, to ensure that the European Union is ready to expand and welcome new members,” the European Commission president said.

She added that roadmaps would also be set out for the candidate countries that have made the most progress, with the aim of defining concrete steps towards membership while safeguarding democratic standards and the rule of law.

“We will also set out what are known as roadmaps, which will ensure that the democratic values at the heart of the EU and the rule of law continue to be upheld,” von der Leyen said.

She stressed that commitments made as part of the accession process must continue to be respected even after a country becomes an EU member.

Addressing Prime Minister Rama, von der Leyen referred to his statement that the accession process would continue to be based on merit.

“You used the phrase that the accession process will continue to be merit-based. But, of course, being merit-based does not necessarily mean being a slow process, particularly in today’s geopolitical reality,” she said.

“That is why we will set out these roadmaps for the candidate countries that have made the most progress. Albania is certainly among them. These roadmaps will turn the path towards membership into concrete steps,” von der Leyen said.

According to von der Leyen, the roadmaps will clearly outline the remaining requirements, deadlines and subsequent steps in the accession process.

“We will set out what still needs to be done, by when and what the next steps will be,” the European Commission president said.

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