Two years ago, France (backed up by the Netherlands and Denmark) vetoed the opening of EU membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, arguing that accession procedures needed to be changed. In response, the European Commission revised its enlargement methodology in spring 2020. Endorsed by the member states, progress for both candidate countries remained nevertheless blocked by Bulgaria over historical language claims vis-à-vis North Macedonia. This seminar asks in what aspects the revised methodology can nevertheless help to advance the enlargement process. Does the new methodology present a fundamental change from previous procedures? Does it differentiate between countries that are already negotiating their membership in the EU and those still in the waiting room? Have member states been instrumental in implementing the revised methodology? If so, in which ways? And what else can be done to get the EU enlargement process back on track?

This event is co-organised by CEPS, EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy and Think Visegrad platform.

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