Roundtable: Ready for Enlargement? Albania and Montenegro's Path to the EU

Albania and Montenegro are currently leading the way in the EU enlargement process. Following the official opening of negotiations in 2022, Albania has already opened all chapters and is aiming to conclude accession talks next year. 

Montenegro, which began negotiations back in 2012, is setting an even faster pace and hopes to conclude talks with the EU by the end of this year.

How realistic is EU enlargement in this decade?

The European Commission acknowledged the countries' progress in its latest enlargement report. Commissioner Marta Kos is convinced that both could join the EU in the coming years. This raises a series of important questions:

• Is Brussels even ready for new Member States or should it tackle necessary reforms regarding the decision-making process in the Council first?
• How far along are Podgorica and Tirana on their path towards the EU?
• What is the situation regarding the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law and media freedom in Albania and Montenegro?
• Are European values and democracy truly sufficiently protected there?
• Would a gradual integration into the EU be better than another round of enlargement?

Discuss these topics and more with experts from Albania, Montenegro and Brussels during our roundtable!

Time: Wednesday, 22 April, 09:00-11:30 CEST 

Venue:  FES EU Office, Rue du Taciturne 38, 1000 Brussels

Register here to participate.