Potential EU candidate countries

The EU certainly supports the promotion of stability in the areas in its immediate vicinity. Thus, according to the current enlargement agenda, potential EU candidate countries include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, along with Kosovo, which is protected by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.

European institutions have therefore stressed on several occasions the perspective of Western Balkan countries for future EU membership, while at the same time emphasising that the progress of each country towards EU accession depends on its efforts to meet Copenhagen criteria and the conditions of the stabilisation and accession process. Future enlargements will be made at a pace dictated by each country's performance in meeting the rigorous standards to ensure the smooth absorption of eventual new members.

Further information: European Commission's directorate general for Enlargement