Marta Kos

European Commissioner for Enlargement.
🇪🇺 Curious, optimistic, never giving up.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

Read my full speech at the Conference of Croatian Ambassadors ⬇️

https://t.co/FkUZKyHarx

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

2026 is on track to be a record year of progress for EU enlargement.

Today, I spoke in Zagreb with Speaker of Parliament Gordan Jandroković, Prime Minister @AndrejPlenkovic and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs @grlicradman on the importance to build unity among our Member States to welcome new members to our Union.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

The Montenegrin Parliament voted with an overwhelming majority to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and the Central Bank in their constitution.

This is another big step for Montenegro’s European path.

It shows a broad consensus and is a major step towards closing the all-important fundamentals chapters.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

Over the past days, many Serbian civil society representatives have been subjected to smear campaigns and personal attacks.

A strong civil society and engaged citizens are an asset to every democracy and essential to a successful enlargement process.

They deserve respect and the freedom to speak without intimidation or attempts to delegitimise their work.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

Croatia is a firm supporter of a strong, united and enlarged Europe.

Good discussion with Prime Minister @AndrejPlenkovic and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs @grlicradman today.

We agreed that the accession process must be based on the delivery on reforms by our candidates. Solving bilateral disputes in a good neighborly spirit is crucial.

We also discussed how the EU should prepare and reform to be ready to accept new members. This is the only way to make sure a larger Union will also be a more secure and more independent Europe.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

Montenegro keeps showing that the road to the EU becomes easier when a country pulls in the same direction.

Today, Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum elected the two remaining judges of the Constitutional Court.

This strengthens an institution that is essential for the rule of law and to advance on chapter 23 on fundamental rights, crucial to close negotiations.

It’s another great result of last week’s cross-party agreement on legislation related to the EU path.

The unity must continue for Montenegro to reach the finish line of EU accession negotiations by the end of this year.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

Albania has closed its first three negotiating chapters: research and innovation, education and culture, and external relations.

These are areas where Albania is joining the European family in practice.

We now count on Albania to maintain momentum and double down on reforms, especially on rule of law and the fight against corruption, and continue work in a transparent, accountable and inclusive way.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

The Republic of Moldova has opened Cluster 6, covering areas where it can make a strong contribution to Europe’s stability as a future EU Member State.

Moldova has become one of Europe’s most experienced countries in successfully countering hybrid threats. This expertise is already strengthening our Union.

Today's Super Tuesday for Enlargement offers Moldova the momentum to keep advancing and implementing reforms as we work to open the remaining negotiating clusters.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

Montenegro has now closed more than half of its negotiating chapters.

On this Super Tuesday for Enlargement, it closed the chapters on Competition Policy and the Customs Union, bringing the total to 18 out of 33 negotiating chapters.

Reforms under these two chapters mean operating under the same rules as in the rest of the EU, with less administrative burden and fewer checks at borders, creating already today more opportunities for both Montenegrin and European businesses.

Now is the time to double down on reforms and bring Montenegro to the finish line.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

On this Super Tuesday for EU enlargement, we opened Cluster 6 with Ukraine, covering security and defence.

In these areas, the case for Ukraine’s EU membership is especially strong. With its military experience and innovation capacities, Ukraine is indispensable to Europe’s future security architecture.

While we continue to work hard with Ukraine to advance on reforms, especially on rule of law, the next step should be to open the remaining four negotiating clusters.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

Today is a Super Tuesday for EU enlargement.

For the first time in over 2 decades, we are holding four accession conferences on the same day.

Our four front runners Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro are all taking major steps forward.

With Ukraine and Moldova, we are opening Cluster 6, covering areas like defence and security where the case for their EU membership is especially strong.

Albania will close its first chapters. And Montenegro is firmly in the endgame of formal negotiations having closed 18 of 33 chapters.

Today’s momentum must now be turned into delivery on the ground.

My full doorstep:

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

Today is the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the Srebrenica Genocide.

Healing the wounds of the past requires courage, sincere engagement, and a genuine commitment to reconciliation. This means to choose responsibility over division, dialogue over confrontation, and to support the process of finding and identifying the remaining victims.

Progress on the EU path is the best way to ensure a sovereign, united, multiethnic and democratic Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the best way to build a society based on pluralism, mutual respect, and equal opportunities for all.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

Montenegro has its accession objective within reach. But getting there requires faster reforms, especially on the rule of law.

With Prime Minister @MickeySpajic, I discussed the work needed to close the remaining open chapters.

One of them is Chapter 27 on the environment. By joining a clean-up action in the Bay of Kotor, we showed how accession can make a difference in everyday life and help protect Montenegro’s natural beauty.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

EU membership must be a national project for all of Montenegro.

Glad to have met Speaker @AndrijaMandicDF and representatives of the ethnic Serbian community to discuss how cross-party dialogue can help bring Montenegro over the finish line.

The recent agreement between the ruling majority and the opposition is already delivering results. This week, important votes on constitutional amendments needed to align with EU law were adopted with the support of more than 90% of MPs.

We want this unity to continue until the end of Montenegro’s accession path.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

North Macedonia has shown it can deliver decisively and in time.

In Skopje, I met Prime Minister @MickoskiHM to discuss the country’s strong performance under the Reform Agenda and encourage further progress.

The same determination is now needed to advance on its accession track. By implementing its commitments, North Macedonia can build trust with our Member States and give a push to its EU path.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

Today’s vote in Montenegro’s Parliament in support of constitutional amendments needed to align with the EU acquis is encouraging news.

With 74 of 77 MPs voting in favour, it is a clear sign that EU membership is a shared national project across the political spectrum.

It provides a good foundation for the work ahead and strengthens Montenegro’s credibility as it enters the final stretch of its accession path.

I will travel there this week to encourage the country to build on this unity, deliver further reforms and bring the negotiations to the finish line.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

Good to be in Ireland with the College as its Council Presidency begins.

We are looking forward to continue the solid pace of progress for enlargement with the Irish Presidency and support our candidate countries’ accession paths.

I have just returned from Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Armenia, where we moved our connectivity work into its next phase. It can help secure lasting peace in the South Caucasus while diversifying trade and energy routes between Europe and Asia.

Enlargement and connectivity go together. Both contribute to Europe’s stability, prosperity and security.

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

We are in Armenia with a clear message of support.

President @vonderleyen and I are here to take forward the work of the new EU–Armenia Task Force.

New EU trade measures will liberalise around 80% of Armenian exports to our market and help businesses diversify.

Russia’s economic coercion is a blatant attempt to force Armenia back into its sphere of influence.

That is not what Armenians voted for last month.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Armenia has made a sovereign choice.

And for this you are facing significant economic pressure from Russia.

When pressure mounts for our partners, we step up.

We will strengthen and diversify Armenia’s trade and economy ↓ https://t.co/IH2sGSZDr0