Speaking yesterday after the Commission adopted the 2023 enlargement package, Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said: “Enlargement is a vital policy for the European Union. Completing our Union is the call of history, it is the natural horizon of our Union.”

She said Ukraine had completed “well over 90 per cent” of the steps set out in the 2022 report, including various constitutional and judicial reforms.

“The remaining reforms are already on their way — that is good — and the Commission commends these efforts. On this basis, we have recommended today that the Council opens accession negotiations,” Ms von der Leyen said.

She acknowledged that Moldova had also “undertaken significant reform efforts, for example in the area of the judiciary”.

The Commission has therefore recommended that the EU Council opens accession negotiations with both countries, and that the Council adopts negotiating frameworks in respect of both countries once they have adopted certain key measures.

In the case of Georgia, the Commission recommends that the Council grants Georgia the status of a candidate country on the understanding that a number of steps are taken.

When it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Commission recommends the opening of accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved.

The Commission will report to the EU Council by March 2024 on the progress of reforms in Ukraine, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina.