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The New Union Post
@newunionpost.bsky.social
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Magazine on EU enlargement
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The informal retreat in #AldenBiesen focused on how to strengthen the competitiveness of the #SingleMarket. Despite the potential for the gradual integration of new members and the need for changes to the EU's institutional set-up no major breakthroughs are expected

newunionpost.eu/2026/02/12/e...
Enlargement fades at EU informal retreat in Belgian castle
Despite the potential for the Single Market, as shown by the Draghi and Letta reports, no major progress is expected at the EU informal retreat in Alden Biesen
newunionpost.eu
February 12, 2026 at 4:43 PM
newunionpost.bsky.social
The EU’s pre-enlargement reforms are still “in the oven” – but they risk burning

After months of delays, the Commission's communication on preparing the EU internally is still nowhere in sight

#EUreforms #EUenlargement

newunionpost.eu/2026/02/10/p...
How long will EU pre-enlargement reforms stay “in the oven”?
After several delays, the Commission's proposal on pre-enlargement reforms is still nowhere in sight. The risk is that it could burn, leaving the EU unprepared
newunionpost.eu
February 10, 2026 at 2:45 PM
newunionpost.bsky.social
Schengen rules at EU borders risk seriously affecting producers in the #WesternBalkans

Regional actors such as the Bosnian berry producer Cooperativa 'Insieme' fear losing access to the EU market due to a "strict and intolerant bureaucratic attitude"

#SchengenVisa

newunionpost.eu/2026/02/06/w...
Western Balkans producers at risk by strict EU border rules
The Commission is considering "measures to mitigate" the negative impacts of the Entry/Exit System, but Western Balkans actors fear losing access to EU market
newunionpost.eu
February 6, 2026 at 7:48 AM
newunionpost.bsky.social
An interactive infographic with all rapporteurs, shadow rapporteurs and opinion rapporteurs in the @europarl.europa.eu negotiations on Global Europe for the EU's 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework

#GlobalEurope #2028_2034MFF #EUbudget #EuropeanParliament

newunionpost.eu/2026/02/04/g...
All the key MEPs to follow in Global Europe negotiations
Rapporteurs, shadow rapporteurs and opinion rapporteurs in the European Parliament on the new Global Europe Instrument in the EU's 2028–2034 MFF
newunionpost.eu
February 4, 2026 at 9:02 AM
newunionpost.bsky.social
A #Farage clause is not the best option to reset EU-UK post-#Brexit relations

Requiring financial compensation if a government led by #ReformUK leader withdraws from UK commitments ignores that "he simply will not pay," warns Ian Bond
@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social

newunionpost.eu/2026/02/02/f...
'Farage clause' not the best option to reset EU-UK relations
A future UK right-wing government "simply will not pay," warns CER's Ian Bond. Instead of a 'Farage clause', the EU should be "reasonably generous"
newunionpost.eu
February 2, 2026 at 9:10 AM
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Is EU enlargement really that costly for current member states?
In short, no, according to the estimates of Zsolt Darvas, a Senior Fellow at @bruegel.org

And this is why 👇
newunionpost.eu/2026/01/29/c...
Is EU enlargement really that costly for member states?
In short, no, according to Bruegel's estimates. Several factors would compensate for the direct costs of EU enlargement in the Western Balkans and Ukraine
newunionpost.eu
January 29, 2026 at 8:44 AM
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#Montenegro starts 2026 by closing another negotiating chapter. Podgorica "is on track" to close all chapters by the end of 2026, Commissioner Kos said. The 20th anniversary of the country's independence lends "even more" momentum

#EUenlargement

newunionpost.eu/2026/01/27/m...
Montenegro starts 2026 by closing one negotiating chapter
Negotiations between Montenegro and the EU have been provisionally closed for 13 of 33 chapters, with the goal of concluding the process by the end of the year
newunionpost.eu
January 27, 2026 at 9:08 AM
newunionpost.bsky.social
Some aspiring EU members have joined #Trump #BoardofPeace – and this may prove problematic

Experts warn that #Albania and #Kosovo lack of coordination with Brussels risks being perceived as out of step with the EU's direction on foreign and security policy

newunionpost.eu/2026/01/23/e...
Controversy as some EU aspirants join Trump's Board of Peace
The participation of Albania, Kosovo and Türkiye in the new Board of Peace risks being perceived as out of step with the EU’s foreign and security policy
newunionpost.eu
January 23, 2026 at 9:01 AM
newunionpost.bsky.social
What if #Trump became the catalyst for resetting EU-UK relations?
With the US no longer a reliable ally for Europe, Brussels and London should "rebuild bridges that were demolished in 2016," says @cerianbond.bsky.social (@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social)

#UKEUSummit

newunionpost.eu/2026/01/21/e...
What if Trump's threats push the EU-UK post-Brexit "reset"?
Yet the ongoing EU-UK 'reset' negotiations should overcome "the legacy of the bad feeling that has built up over the last ten years," says CER's Ian Bond
newunionpost.eu
January 21, 2026 at 8:21 AM
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#StudentList in #Serbia pushes for early elections, upholding EU values

"This movement is not only Serbian, but European as well," says Aleksa Popović, a representative of the students at the University of Belgrade in an interview with The New Union Post

newunionpost.eu/2026/01/16/s...
Serbian Student List calls for early elections and EU values
Interview with Aleksa Popović, a representative of the Serbian students, on the criteria for compiling the list and selecting candidates
newunionpost.eu
January 16, 2026 at 7:53 AM
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EU’s €90 billion #UkraineSupportLoan could bring #Ukraine “closer to EU membership”, says #vonderLeyen, as the proposal to cover Ukraine's financing needs for 2026–2027 – based on common borrowing backed by the EU budget – is "conditional on reforms"

newunionpost.eu/2026/01/14/u...
EU's €90bn loan could bring Ukraine closer to EU membership
The Ukraine Support Loan for 2026–2027 – based on common borrowing backed by the EU budget – is "conditional on reforms," von der Leyen said
newunionpost.eu
January 14, 2026 at 4:07 PM
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While #Trump threats to annex #Greenland push Nuuk closer to Europe, experts say that support for rejoining the EU remains limited

With Lin Alexandra Mortensgaard (@diis.dk) and Gabriella Gricius (@arcticinstitute.bsky.social)

newunionpost.eu/2026/01/12/t...
US threats push Greenland towards the EU – not to rejoin it
While Trump's plans to annex Greenland may bring Nuuk closer to Brussels economically, experts explain that support for full EU membership remains limited
newunionpost.eu
January 12, 2026 at 12:20 PM
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What the #Cyprus Presidency plans for enlargement over the next six months. Until 31 July, Nicosia will lead the EU institutions in delivering "tangible results through a merit-based process" with #Ukraine, #Moldova and the #WesternBalkans
@cy2026eu.bsky.social

newunionpost.eu/2026/01/07/c...
What are the Cyprus Presidency priorities for EU enlargement
Delivering "tangible results" with Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans will be key priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council until 31 July 2026
newunionpost.eu
January 7, 2026 at 7:48 AM
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Was the Danish Presidency a success for EU enlargement?
An analysis of the past six months of the Council of the European Union’s work under Copenhagen's leadership

#EUenlargement #DanishPresidency #Denmark

newunionpost.eu/2026/01/05/e...
What has the Danish Presidency achieved on EU enlargement?
The Danish Presidency of the EU brokered a deal to work with Ukraine and Moldova at a technical level, while Albania and Montenegro remain the frontrunners
newunionpost.eu
January 5, 2026 at 8:45 AM
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From 1 January 2026, people in #Ukraine and #Moldova can call, text and use mobile data in the "Roam Like at Home" area at no extra charge, and vice versa. Plans to include all the Western Balkans are also under way
#freeroaming #roaming

newunionpost.eu/2026/01/01/u...
The EU's free roaming area now includes Ukraine and Moldova
From 1 January 2026, people in the two candidate countries can call, text and use mobile data in the free roaming area at no extra charge, and vice versa
newunionpost.eu
January 1, 2026 at 4:10 PM
newunionpost.bsky.social
2025 has shown the EU that #Ukraine’s accession is closely linked to peace talks with US President #Trump. From #Zelensky to #vonderLeyen, European leaders agree that EU membership is a key guarantee for Kyiv's prosperity and security against Russia

newunionpost.eu/2025/12/31/u...
2025 showed Ukraine's EU accession is linked to peace talks
From Zelensky to von der Leyen, European leaders agree that EU membership is a key guarantee for Ukraine's prosperity and security against Russia
newunionpost.eu
December 31, 2025 at 9:45 AM
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Kurti’s landslide victory in #KosovoElections opens new room for manoeuvre with the EU. Yet he must "balance the promise of not compromising" with Brussels expecting a partner "willing to find some compromise," says Dan Ilazi, Head of Research at KCSS/QKSS
#Kosovo

newunionpost.eu/2025/12/29/k...
Kosovo has scope for action with the EU after snap elections
PM Kurti’s Vetëvendosje clearly won the 2025 Kosovo elections. Yet a key challenge will be finding "compromises" with the EU as well, says KCSS/QKSS’s Ilazi
newunionpost.eu
December 29, 2025 at 12:54 PM
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All this time, it was the Commission’s call. EU measures against #Kosovo to be lifted in January 2026.

Experts point out that the "absurdity" of this process exposes Brussels' ambiguity towards the region

newunionpost.eu/2025/12/22/e...
EU measures against Kosovo to be lifted in January 2026
For the last 18 months, it was the Commission's call to revoke the suspension of EU funds to Kosovo. The decision was taken during the summit in Brussels
newunionpost.eu
December 22, 2025 at 12:48 PM
newunionpost.bsky.social
EU membership is one of the security guarantees #Ukraine is “counting on,” Zelensky confirmed at the margins of a crucial #EUCO to secure financial support for Kyiv

newunionpost.eu/2025/12/19/z...
Zelensky wants EU membership as Ukraine's security guarantee
While the date of EU accession is "of utmost importance," President Zelensky did not commit to a specific year but criticised "political blocks"
newunionpost.eu
December 19, 2025 at 1:04 PM
newunionpost.bsky.social
The 2025 EU-Western Balkans Summit was totally overshadowed by Serbia’s absence

newunionpost.eu/2025/12/17/s...

#EUWB6 #EUWB6Summit #Serbia #Vucic
An EU-Western Balkans Summit eclipsed by Serbia’s absence
Serbian President Vučić's decision not to attend the 2025 EU-Western Balkans Summit further exacerbates relations between Brussels and Belgrade
newunionpost.eu
December 17, 2025 at 7:54 PM
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In the most “geostrategic” year ever, the EU failed to adopt its 2025 enlargement conclusions because of #Hungary veto on #Ukraine.
The formal text was rejected at the General Affairs Council and transformed into Presidency's conclusions

newunionpost.eu/2025/12/16/e...
The EU failed to adopt its 2025 enlargement conclusions
Due to Hungary's veto on Ukraine – despite several attempts – the formal enlargement conclusions were adopted as Presidency conclusions
newunionpost.eu
December 16, 2025 at 6:38 PM
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#Montenegro closes 5 more negotiating chapters but is still not halfway. With 21 chapters still under revision, the goal of closing them all by 2026 remains highly ambitious for the frontrunner in the EU enlargement process

newunionpost.eu/2025/12/16/m...
Montenegro closes 5 more chapters, but is still not halfway
Negotiations between Montenegro and the EU have been provisionally closed for 12 of 33 chapters. The goal of concluding the process by 2026 remains ambitious
newunionpost.eu
December 16, 2025 at 12:18 PM
newunionpost.bsky.social
Where the EU stands on #Ukraine's accelerated accession by 2027. Several experts do not rule out the scenario

@ditrych.bsky.social (@euiss.bsky.social), Fabian Zuleeg (EPC), Engjellushe Morina (@ecfr.eu), Volodymyr Dubovyk (CEPA) and Bohdan Popov (United Ukraine)

newunionpost.eu/2025/12/16/u...
Where the EU stands on Ukraine accelerated accession by 2027
The latest draft of the peace proposal envisages Ukraine joining the EU through a fast-tracked process, with implications for the merit-based principle
newunionpost.eu
December 16, 2025 at 10:39 AM
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Between Ukraine and the Western Balkans. It will be a critical week for #EUenlargement decisions in Brussels.
From the 2025 conclusions on EU enlargement to the EU-Western Balkans Summit and #EUCO on #Ukraine and Russian #frozenassets

newunionpost.eu/2025/12/15/e...
It will be a critical week for EU enlargement in Brussels
The 2025 conclusions on EU enlargement will be followed by the EU-Western Balkans summit and the European Council on Ukraine and the MFF
newunionpost.eu
December 15, 2025 at 7:51 AM
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#Ukraine must work on a ten-point reform plan by 2026 to meet EU membership requirements. This is the outcome of the informal meeting of the Ministers for European Affairs (excluded the Hungarian one) with the Ukrainian counterpart in Lviv

newunionpost.eu/2025/12/11/u...
Ukraine must work on a 10-point EU reform plan by 2026
The implementation of anti-corruption and rule-of-law policies will help Ukraine strengthen work once Cluster 1 – 'Fundamentals', is opened
newunionpost.eu
December 11, 2025 at 3:35 PM