Symbolic step comes a decade after Euromaidan protests sought to put country firmly on pro-western path
European Commission recommends start of accession negotiations this month but Hungary could cause delays
Albin Kurti says western capitals should give Belgrade a deadline to adopt sanctions against Russia
Tbilisi can still reverse course on controversial ‘foreign agents’ bill
The heads of Serbia, the Bosnian Serbs, North Macedonia and Georgia oppose the steps needed to join the club
Ruling Georgian Dream party presses ahead with bill despite months of protests and warnings from Brussels
Tbilisi government is set to pass a law that could derail the country’s EU hopes
Right-wing VMRO party expected to win in Wednesday elections — a potential setback to country’s EU bid
Despite some setbacks, expansion into ex-communist Europe was a historic success
Also in this newsletter: the personal feud at the heart of Croatian coalition talks
Friction between Bulgaria and North Macedonia may be about to take a turn for the worse
Protests and parliamentary scuffles raise alarm about government’s attempts to clamp down on civil society
Propping up an ethnically based political system is no way to prepare the former Yugoslav republic for entry to the bloc
Also in this newsletter: how puppies have triggered critics of EU trade measures
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić wants to join bloc ahead of other western Balkan countries
Also in this newsletter: why the EU’s climate goals need to factor in Ukraine
Also in this newsletter: getting Big Tech to remove EU election deepfakes
Democratic backsliding and warm ties with Russia seem less important to Brussels than co-operation on migration
Madrid remains one of 5 EU capitals that still does not recognise Pristina’s independence
The green light to accession talks shows the bloc is learning to be a strategic power despite failure on aid
Hungary’s Viktor Orbán vetoes financial aid after allowing bloc to start membership talks with Kyiv
Also in this newsletter: Why Elon Musk is attending a right-wing conference in Italy
It will be a slow process and European leaders will have their work cut out persuading voters of the merits
Also in this newsletter: Donald Tusk’s big plans for his premiership
Also in this newsletter: Why Santa Claus won’t be visiting the European parliament due to Qatargate
