EC Published its Annual Assessment of Progress in Enlargement Countries and the Way Forward 

On 29^th May, the European Commission published its annual enlargement package – a set of documents explaining its policy on EU enlargement. This year the package includes a Communication on enlargement which sets out the way forward – 2019 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy and country reports that present detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made in each country. The Commission also issued Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s application for membership to the EU, together with an analytical report that reviews, for the first time, the situation in the country against all standards applicable to EU Member States. The Commission’s assessment notes significant progress in reforms in Albania and North Macedonia and recommends opening accession negotiations with both countries. In regards to civil society, a regional trend of increasingly hostile environment for civil society is noted. As in previous years, BCSDN prepares background analysis on how the Commission treats the issue of civil society and civil society enabling environment in its enlargement package. It will be available shortly, so stay tuned.

Source: European Commission