Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Personal tools
Sections
You are here: Home regions east-europe
Document Actions

Eastern & Central Europe

Latest news about eastern and central Europe and EU enlargement. Since it was founded in 1958, the EU has regularly accepted new member countries. Each applicant country must meet certain requirements before membership is permitted. Regular enlargements have seen the EU grow from its original 6 founding members to 28 in 2013. Any country that satisfies the conditions for enlargement can apply to be a candidate. The European Commission, at the request of the European Council, assesses the applicant’s ability to meet the conditions of membership. If the opinion is positive and the Council agrees a negotiating mandate, discussions are formally opened between the applicant and the EU. At the start of 2013, five countries had been accepted as EU candidate countries: Iceland, Montenegro, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo (under UN Security Resolution 1244) have the status of potential candidates.

EU to increase tariffs on imported grain products from Russia, Belarus 25 March 2024, 19:05 CET
The EU Commission proposed Friday to increase tariffs on imports into the EU of cereals, oilseeds, and derived products from Russia and Belarus, including wheat, maize, and sunflower meal.

EU summit looks to use Russia assets to support Ukraine 22 March 2024, 20:52 CET
EU leaders ending their two-day summit Friday agreed to make possible the use the windfall profits from Russia’s immobilised assets to support of Ukraine, including with military equipment.

EU votes to extend trade support for Ukraine 20 March 2024, 23:35 CET
The European Parliament and EU Council reached provisional agreement Wednesday on extending trade liberalisation measures for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression.

Rule of law and EU funds for Poland - guide 29 February 2024, 20:48 CET
The European Commission adopted on 29 February two legal acts that will pave the way for Poland to access up to EUR 137 billion in EU funding. These acts relate to the rule of law reforms that Poland has adopted and the more recent and immediate steps that it has taken to address the milestones to strengthen judicial independence.

Poland fulfills rule of law milestones to unblock EU funding 29 February 2024, 21:45 CET
The EU Commission moved to unlock some EUR 137 billion of EU funding for Poland Thursday, following efforts made by the Polish government to strengthen the rule of law and judicial independence.

EU adopts 13th package of sanctions against Russia 26 February 2024, 23:18 CET
Two years on from Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, the EU adopted Friday its thirteenth package of sanctions against Putin’s regime, those responsible for perpetuating its war and those lending it their support.

EU-Russia trade remains at low levels 22 February 2024, 23:59 CET
EU trade with Russia has been strongly affected by import and export restrictions imposed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, dropping considerably below levels prior to the invasion, Eurostat reports.

EUR 83m EU humanitarian aid to support people in Ukraine and Moldova 20 February 2024, 18:51 CET
The European Commission announced Tuesday an initial EUR 83 million in humanitarian aid to support the people affected by Russia's war against Ukraine for 2024.

Brussels takes legal action against Hungary's for new 'sovereignty law' 08 February 2024, 00:11 CET
The European Commission decided Wednesday to open an infringement procedure against Hungary for violating EU law with its new Defence of Sovereignty law.

EU, IFC to unlock EUR 500m private sector investment for Ukraine reconstruction 05 February 2024, 18:35 CET
The European Commission and the International Finance Corporation signed a guarantee agreement Monday to support investments to help drive an inclusive and sustainable reconstruction in Ukraine.

EU leaders give go-ahead for EUR 50 bn aid package for Ukraine 02 February 2024, 23:09 CET
EU leaders at a special summit Thursday agreed to set up a Ukraine aid facility worth EUR 50 billion for 2024-2027, confirming Europe's commitment to support the country's fight for its freedom.

EU renews economic sanctions against Russia for 6 more months 29 January 2024, 23:02 CET
The EU Council renewed its restrictive measures against Russia for a further 6 months Monday, until 31 July 2024, in view of the country's continuing actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine.

Central & Eastern European Real Estate Quality Awards (Warsaw, Poland, from 15 May 2024, 18:30 CET to 16 May 2024, 03:00 CET) —
In its 20th year, the Central & Eastern European Quality Awards gala will welcome more than 600 company and sector leaders from across Europe to celebrate success and recognise business excellence across 18 countries.

4.3m Ukrainians under temporary protection in Europe 13 January 2024, 18:09 CET
Nearly 4.3 million non-EU citizens who fled Ukraine as a consequence of Russia's illegal invasion on in February 2022, had temporary protection status in EU countries in November last year.

Bulgaria, Romania to join Schengen area through air and sea 02 January 2024, 22:05 CET
EU member states reached agreement Saturday for Bulgaria and Romania to join the Schengen border-free area with a first removal of air and maritime internal border controls.

EU extends emergency measures against potential energy price shocks 20 December 2023, 00:25 CET
EU energy ministers reached a political agreement Tuesday to extend the period of application of three emergency Council regulations helping to protect EU citizens from excessively high energy prices.

EU tightens sanctions against Russia over Ukraine 18 December 2023, 23:07 CET
The European Union adopted Monday its 12th package of sanctions against Russia, following its illegal war against Ukraine, including additional import and export bans, abd closing sanctions loopholes.

New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans - guide 08 November 2023, 17:50 CET
The European Commission adopted a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans on 8 November, with the aim of bringing some of the benefits of membership to the region in advance of accession, boost economic growth and accelerate much needed socio-economic convergence.

EU's Growth Plan for Western Balkans could double economy in 10 years 08 November 2023, 17:56 CET
The European Commission presented a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans Wednesday, including EUR 6 billion in grants and loans to accelerate economic convergence with the EU.

Brussels backs opening EU membership talks with Ukraine 09 November 2023, 22:33 CET
The European Commission recommended Wednesday the opening of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine, as it published the 2023 review of progress made by EU candidate countries.

EU ramps up ammunition, missiles production with 1st call for proposals 18 October 2023, 23:47 CET
The Commission published its first call for proposals Wednesday under a Regulation to support ammunition production funding projects improving Europe's production capacities of defence products.

MEPs push for start of EU accession talks with Moldova 05 October 2023, 17:14 CET
The European Parliament voted Thursday to reaffirm its commitment to Moldova's future EU membership and launch accession talks with Chisinau before the end of the year.

EU to extend to 2025 temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees 28 September 2023, 22:58 CET
The EU Council agreed Thursday to extend until March 2025 the temporary protection for people fleeing from Russia’s war against Ukraine, providing certainty for 4 million Ukrainian refugees currently living in the EU.

EU ends transitional measures for Bulgaria, Romania 18 September 2023, 17:43 CET
The EU Commission formally recognised 'important reforms' made by Bulgaria and Romania Friday, as it put an end to transitional measures introduced as part of their accession to the EU in 2007.

EU Commission closes Cooperation & Verification Mechanism (CVM) for Bulgaria and Romania - guide 15 September 2023, 18:04 CET
The European Commission on 15 September formally closed the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) for Bulgaria and Romania.