European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, has stated that by the end of 2026, the European Union (EU) will not grow in size, but it will move closer to enlargement, particularly regarding the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe.
Speaking to the Brussels-based portal Politico, Kos reflected on 2025 and outlined expectations for the upcoming year:
“2026 will be better than 2025,” Kos said, emphasizing that 2025 was already very successful.
“In the next 12 months, efforts will be needed to ensure that new member states can be admitted on time.”
Kos highlighted that progress depends not only on candidate countries but also on the EU itself:
- Geopolitical context
- Candidate countries’ engagement
- EU’s capacity to address past gaps and security challenges
“Is it necessary for our security? Yes. Do we need Ukraine in the EU? Yes,” Kos stated.
Regarding specific enlargement steps, Kos noted:
- By the end of 2026, the EU will not have new members, but it will be closer to achieving the enlargement goal.
- She expects that all negotiations with Montenegro will likely be concluded within the year.
Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović told Politico that 2026 must see progress in Montenegro’s EU accession, emphasizing the importance of the European Commission’s mandate. Milatović expressed optimism that under Cyprus’ six-month EU presidency starting January, a working group under the Council will finalize the accession treaty for Montenegro, potentially paving the way for Montenegro to become the 28th EU member in 2028.
