How close are candidate states to EU membership?
20 Feb EU Institutions

How close are candidate states to EU membership?

As geopolitical pressures rise, EU enlargement is becoming a strategic necessity. With Montenegro advancing and Ukraine’s bid gaining urgency, here’s how accession works — and where candidates stand.
by Margherita Dalla Vecchia, Julia Kaiser & Sarah Schug
Interview: One year to shape Europe's next long-term budget
18 Feb Member States
Interview: One year to shape Europe's next long-term budget
Op-ed: An effective EU budget cannot be 'a la carte'
20 Feb Member States
Op-ed: An effective EU budget cannot be 'a la carte'
Will the EU's new budget deliver for gender equality?
17 Feb EU Institutions
Will the EU's new budget deliver for gender equality?
LatestSee all
Newsletter: Trump's business of peace
20 Feb
Newsletter: Trump's business of peace
Donald Trump’s Board of Peace debuted in Washington on Feb. 19. Its launch, however, raises questions about legitimacy, credible governance, and political optics.
Op-ed: Toward a new European strategy for Africa and the Middle East
19 Feb EU Institutions
Op-ed: Toward a new European strategy for Africa and the Middle East
Countries in the Global South increasingly form issue-based partnerships, and Europe must overcome its internal divisions and act with unity to turn that flexibility into strategic advantage.
Rubio’s Munich message deepens transatlantic doubts
16 Feb Member States
Rubio’s Munich message deepens transatlantic doubts
At the Munich Security Conference, public relief masked private skepticism as European leaders questioned whether Washington’s vision of the Western alliance leaves room for Europe’s own worldview.
A new starting point for China-EU relations Partner Content
17 Feb Member States
A new starting point for China-EU relations
In the midst of a changing international environment, China-EU relations bear even more strategic significance. We stand ready to seize opportunities, address challenges, and advance our mutual development
'That can move mountains': Europe rediscovers single-market urgency
13 Feb Member States
'That can move mountains': Europe rediscovers single-market urgency
After years of stalled integration, EU leaders backed company law reform, capital market integration and deregulation, while signaling that "enhanced cooperation" may break future deadlocks.
Newsletter: A two-speed EU?
13 Feb Member States
Newsletter: A two-speed EU?
European leaders met Thursday for talks on how to jumpstart the bloc's economy.
Op-ed: Defending Ukraine's free education is essential to protecting European values
12 Feb EU Institutions
Op-ed: Defending Ukraine's free education is essential to protecting European values
It's in the interest of the EU to safeguard the Ukrainian education system from Russian strikes and disinformation.
Can Europe defy the irresistible appeal of cheap Chinese cars?
11 Feb Economics
Can Europe defy the irresistible appeal of cheap Chinese cars?
As electric vehicles made in China find customers across Europe, Brussels says it wants to save its legacy auto industry. But introducing a "Made in Europe" clause is already sparking a backlash.
Inside the Information War: Journalism on Europe’s Frontline Partner Content
01 Dec 25
Inside the Information War: Journalism on Europe’s Frontline
In the latest episode of the Eastern Frontline Podcast, host MEPs Reinis Pozņaks and Petras Auštrevičius are joined by Sarah Wheaton, Chief Policy Correspondent at Politico Europe, to explore the role of journalism in times of crisis
The Parliament's February print edition is out now
12 Feb Member States
The Parliament's February print edition is out now
This month's issue explores how Europe became a digital colony, whether a "Made in Europe" industrial policy can save the continent's ailing auto sector, the EU's role within NATO and much more.
Europe’s Russian LNG ban has a shipping loophole
10 Feb Foreign & Security Policy
Europe’s Russian LNG ban has a shipping loophole
Specialized LNG tankers that cut through meters of Arctic ice are keeping Russia’s gas exports afloat. With an EU ban looming, there's still no plan for the European-owned ships that make it all possible — raising fears they could be rerouted or end up in Russian hands.
Policy report: Mapping the EU's long-term budget
10 Feb EU Institutions
Policy report: Mapping the EU's long-term budget
Ursula von der Leyen has called the EU's proposed long-term budget for 2028-2034 "the most ambitious ever," arguing that it would be more strategic, flexible and transparent. This policy report examines the most contested elements to assess its ambitions — and limits.
Editor's Picks
Newsletter: Trump's business of peace
20 Feb
Newsletter: Trump's business of peace
Donald Trump’s Board of Peace debuted in Washington on Feb. 19. Its launch, however, raises questions about legitimacy, credible governance, and political optics.
How close are candidate states to EU membership?
20 Feb EU Institutions
How close are candidate states to EU membership?
As geopolitical pressures rise, EU enlargement is becoming a strategic necessity. With Montenegro advancing and Ukraine’s bid gaining urgency, here’s how accession works — and where candidates stand.
Newsletter: A two-speed EU?
13 Feb Member States
Newsletter: A two-speed EU?
European leaders met Thursday for talks on how to jumpstart the bloc's economy.
The Parliament's February print edition is out now
12 Feb Member States
The Parliament's February print edition is out now
This month's issue explores how Europe became a digital colony, whether a "Made in Europe" industrial policy can save the continent's ailing auto sector, the EU's role within NATO and much more.
Events
Tech, Digital and AI Summit 2026
Tech, Digital and AI Summit 2026

Learn More
International Women's Day Talks 2026
International Women's Day Talks 2026

Learn More
SMEs Forum 2026
SMEs Forum 2026

Learn More