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 set to hit Russia, Iran with new sanctions — 15 February 2023, 22:43 CET

The EU signalled a 10th package of sanctions on Russia Wednesday, with export bans worth more than EUR 11 billion and controls on electronic components used in Russian weapons systems.

Russia, British Virgin Islands added to EU tax haven blacklist — 14 February 2023, 23:20 CET

The EU on Tuesday added Russia and the British Virgin Islands, as well as Costa Rica and Marshall Islands, to the EU's list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.

Russia "a grave threat to the European way of life": Zelensky — 09 February 2023, 23:27 CET

Russia is trying to annihilate not only sovereign Ukraine, but also the European "way of life", Ukraine's president Zelensky told the European Parliament at an extraordinary plenary session Thursday.

EU and G7 set price cap on Russian petroleum products — 08 February 2023, 22:22 CET

The EU - together with the G7+ Price Cap Coalition - on Saturday adopted further price caps for seaborne petroleum products (such as diesel and fuel oil) originating in, or exported from Russia.

EU Commission travels to Kyiv in show of support for Ukraine — 02 February 2023, 22:19 CET

In a visit to the Ukraine capital Thursday, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by 15 of her Commissioners, announced a new EUR 450 million assistance package for 2023.

EU boost for investment in enlargement regions — 26 January 2023, 23:18 CET

The European Fund for Sustainable Development plus endorsed Thursday a package of 24 guarantee programmes to support investments in the EU's neighbourhood and enlargement countries.

Croatia completes euro changeover — 17 January 2023, 18:56 CET

Croatia has successfully completed its changeover to the euro single currency, with a 14-day dual circulation period (when both the kuna and the euro could be used) ending on Saturday.

Croatia and the euro — 16 January 2023, 23:35 CET

Croatia joined the European Union in 2013 and adopted the euro on 1 January 2023.

Croatia ushers in New Year by joining euro and Schengen — 02 January 2023, 01:05 CET

Croatia became the twentieth member of the European Union's common currency on 1 January, when it also joined the EU's borderless Schengen zone.

Ukraine: Commission proposes to criminalise sanctions violations — 02 December 2022, 21:07 CET

As Russia continues its aggression on Ukraine, the European Union put forward Friday a proposal to harmonise criminal offences and penalties for the violation of EU restrictive measures.

Commission proposal to criminalise evasion of EU sanctions - guide — 02 December 2022, 20:53 CET

The European Commission put forward on 2 December a proposal to harmonise criminal offences and penalties for the violation of EU restrictive measures.

EU weighs up options for Russia to pay for its crimes — 30 November 2022, 23:16 CET

The European Commission presented the EU Council with a number of options Wednesday to make sure Russia is held accountable for the atrocities and crimes committed during its war in Ukraine.

EU must freeze funding to Hungary, insist MEPs — 28 November 2022, 18:43 CET

The EU should resist pressure from Hungary and go ahead with adopting the proposed rule of law conditionality measures to suspend EU cohesion funds, Europe's Parliament said on Thursday.

Russia a state sponsor of terrorism: EU Parliament — 23 November 2022, 18:00 CET

Following atrocities carried out by Vladimir Putin’s regime against Ukrainian civilians, MEPs said Wednesday war crimes and use of 'means of terrorism' meant Russia was now a state sponsor of terrorism.

EU delivers energy equipment, emergency aid to Ukraine — 17 November 2022, 22:38 CET

The Commission is coordinating a new aid delivery of over 1,800 tonnes in emergency assistance this month, including in the area of energy, to support Ukraine via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

EU issues EUR 6 bn green bond, 2.5 bn for Ukraine — 15 November 2022, 23:10 CET

The EU Commission issued a further EUR 8.5 bn Tuesday, EUR 6 bn through a green bond for its recovery programme and EUR 2.5 bn to support Ukraine following Russia's war against it.

EU reaches agreement on its 2023 annual Budget — 16 November 2022, 18:27 CET

The European Parliament and Council reached agreement Tuesday on the EU budget for 2023, promising significant funds to mitigate the severe consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine.

High energy prices, inflation from Russia's war take toll on Europe's economy — 14 November 2022, 17:51 CET

The EU's economy faces a weaker outlook in 2023, says its autumn economic forecast, as it reels from soaring energy prices and rampant inflation caused by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Brussels proposes 'stable and predictable' EUR 18 bn Ukraine support package for 2023 — 09 November 2022, 18:13 CET

The European Commission set out Wednesday an unprecedented support package for Ukraine of up to EUR 18 billion for 2023, in the form of highly concessional loans, disbursed in regular instalments.

EU proposal for 2023 Ukraine support package - guide — 09 November 2022, 18:05 CET

Following the European Council meeting of 20-21 October 2022, the Commission proposed on 8 October an unprecedented support package for Ukraine of up to EUR 18 billion for 2023. This will come in the form of highly concessional loans, disbursed in regular instalments as of 2023.

EU vows support for Ukraine's embattled energy sector — 03 November 2022, 22:54 CET

Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson paid a visit to Ukraine Tuesday to discuss with President Volodymyr Zelensky and international partners the immediate concrete support for its battered energy sector.

EU imposes new Iran sanctions over drones in Ukraine — 24 October 2022, 23:02 CET

The European Union added three new individuals and one entity Thursday to sanctions against Iran for the use of drones to undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignaty and independence of Ukraine.

European Parliament awards 2022 Sakharov Prize to people of Ukraine — 24 October 2022, 23:05 CET

The European Parliament awarded the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the people of Ukraine Wednesday, represented by their president, elected leaders and civil society.

EU approves rapid funding response to Russia's war in Ukraine — 18 October 2022, 18:29 CET

The EU Council adopted a legislative package Thursday to step up support for European states in managing the effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine, including hosting more Ukrainian refugees.

Brussels recommends EU candidate status for Bosnia — 17 October 2022, 22:58 CET

The European Commission recommended that Bosnia be granted EU candidate status Wednesday, as it released its assessment of the reform performance of partners and of future potential member states.