Each year the European Commission adopts its "Enlargement Package" - a set of documents explaining its policy on EU enlargement. The core of this package is a Communication on enlargement, which takes stock of the developments over the last year. It examines the progress made by the candidate countries and potential candidates, the challenges encountered and reforms to be addressed and sets out proposals for the way forward. In addition to the main Communication, the package contains the Reports in which the Commission services present their detailed annual assessment of the state of play of the reform progress in each candidate country and potential candidate over the last year. These assessments are accompanied by recommendations and guidance on the reform priorities.
On November 4, 2025, the Commission adopted its 2025 Enlargement Package for ten aspiring EU candidates, among them Albania, North Macedonia and Turkey. This year's package reaffirms that the momentum for enlargement stands high on the priority agenda of the EU. It also confirms that the accession of new Member States is increasingly within reach.
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ALBANIA | Albania Report 2025
The report recognised the important steps that Albania has taken towards strengthening the rule of law and European institutional standards, but notes that serious weaknesses remain, in particular in the areas of justice, corruption and fundamental rights.
Albania has maintained political stability, although the climate between the government and the opposition remains tense. Despite the smooth conduct of the 2024 European elections, the credibility of the electoral processes was called into question due to ambiguities in issues of party financing and equal access to the media. The Commission calls on Albania to fully implement the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
Judicial reform continues, with the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court performing well. However, delays in the operation of the special courts against corruption and organized crime are a cause for concern.
Corruption remains widespread, particularly in the public administration and local government. Despite the strengthening of institutions such as the anti-corruption agency (SPAK) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), final judicial decisions in high-profile cases remain limited.
The report noted improvements in the legal framework for human rights protection, but there are concerns about:
Albania maintains a moderate level of readiness for integration into the EU internal market. Positive points include:
However, significant challenges remain:
The country has made progress in combating drug and human trafficking networks, with increased cooperation with Europol and other European agencies. However, criminal groups continue to operate and the seizure of assets from illegal activity remains insufficient.
Albania remains committed to its European path and has made significant steps. However, real progress now depends on the deep implementation of reforms, political consensus and the fight against corruption at all levels.
On November 4, 2025, the Commission adopted its 2025 Enlargement Package for ten aspiring EU candidates, among them Albania, North Macedonia and Turkey. This year's package reaffirms that the momentum for enlargement stands high on the priority agenda of the EU. It also confirms that the accession of new Member States is increasingly within reach.
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ALBANIA | Albania Report 2025
The report recognised the important steps that Albania has taken towards strengthening the rule of law and European institutional standards, but notes that serious weaknesses remain, in particular in the areas of justice, corruption and fundamental rights.
Albania has maintained political stability, although the climate between the government and the opposition remains tense. Despite the smooth conduct of the 2024 European elections, the credibility of the electoral processes was called into question due to ambiguities in issues of party financing and equal access to the media. The Commission calls on Albania to fully implement the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
Judicial reform continues, with the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court performing well. However, delays in the operation of the special courts against corruption and organized crime are a cause for concern.
Corruption remains widespread, particularly in the public administration and local government. Despite the strengthening of institutions such as the anti-corruption agency (SPAK) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), final judicial decisions in high-profile cases remain limited.
The report noted improvements in the legal framework for human rights protection, but there are concerns about:
- Media freedom, with incidents of political pressure on journalists
- Minority and Roma rights, where exclusion and poverty remain high
- Online surveillance and personal data, where better protection is needed
Albania maintains a moderate level of readiness for integration into the EU internal market. Positive points include:
- Stable economic growth and controlled inflation
- Strengthening foreign investment in energy and infrastructure
However, significant challenges remain:
- High youth unemployment
- Large “black” economy and tax evasion
- Massive labor migration, exacerbating the shortage of skilled personnel.
The country has made progress in combating drug and human trafficking networks, with increased cooperation with Europol and other European agencies. However, criminal groups continue to operate and the seizure of assets from illegal activity remains insufficient.
Albania remains committed to its European path and has made significant steps. However, real progress now depends on the deep implementation of reforms, political consensus and the fight against corruption at all levels.
NORTH MACEDONIA | North Macedonia Report 2025
According to the report, North Macedonia has not made substantial progress over the last year on its path to accession to the European Union.
Commissioner Marta Kos noted that the country has not made the necessary constitutional changes that is required as part of its accession. At the same time, the European Commission assures that it will continue to support North Macedonia's European perspective.
The report stresses that North Macedonia must strengthen its efforts on the rule of law, ensuring the independence of the judiciary and effectively tackling corruption.
Furthermore, the country is called upon to adopt the necessary constitutional reforms to include citizens of other nationalities, such as Bulgarians, in the Constitution, as foreseen in the Council conclusions of July 2022.
The European Commission places particular emphasis on the implementation of bilateral agreements, such as the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Treaty of Friendship with Bulgaria, which must be implemented in good faith by all parties.
TURKEY | Turkey Report 2025
The European Commission, in its annual report on Turkey's EU accession this year, highlights the country's "serious" and "worrying setbacks" in the area of the rule of law and fundamental rights. These areas are, according to the Commission, "integral to the progress of EU-Turkey relations."
The report highlighted that, although Turkey remains a candidate country and a key partner for the EU, its accession negotiations have been stalled since 2018. At the same time, it highlighted the EU's strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in developing a cooperative relationship with Turkey, in a gradual manner.
In economic terms, Turkey remains the EU's fifth largest trading partner for 2024, with bilateral trade reaching a historic high of over €210 billion.
The Commission expressed strong concerns about Turkey's retreat from democratic values, citing arrests of elected officials, political activists, journalists and businesspeople. Special mention was made of the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, in March 2025, as well as the cancellation of his diploma, which prevents him from being a candidate for the position of President.
Greece-Turkey relations
In regards to Greek-Turkish relations, a positive climate and reconnection at the highest political levels were mentioned. Following the Athens Declaration of December 2023, the two sides held repeated meetings on confidence-building measures. However, the report notes that differences over the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones remain unresolved and burden bilateral relations.
The Commission referred to tensions that arose in 2025, such as Turkey's rejection of the Greek Maritime Spatial Plan and the presentation of the Turkish plan, which oversteps and challenges Greek sovereign territory and rights. It also highlighted the establishment of marine parks by Turkey in areas under Greek jurisdiction, while Ankara opposed the establishment of corresponding parks by the Greek government within Greek waters.
The report noted an increase in Turkish violations of Greek territorial waters and airspace, as well as hostile actions related to the Great Sea Interconnector cable project. It also highlighted concerns about the inclusion of the expansionist "Blue Homeland" doctrine in Turkish school textbooks and the continued validity of the 1995 casus belli declaration.
Cyprus
In the case of Cyprus, Turkey still illegally occupies over a third of the island since its illegal invasion and occupation of July 20, 1974. The report underlined the importance of resuming talks on the Cyprus problem and calls on Turkey to actively contribute to a just and sustainable solution within the framework of the United Nations. It is recalled that Turkey continues not to recognise the Republic of Cyprus and supports a two-state solution, contrary to UN resolutions. Turkey is also called upon to reverse its illegal actions in Varosha.
The report notes that there was no unauthorized drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean during the reporting period, however Turkish military exercises and drone flights continued in Cyprus' zones.
Foreign policy and migration
Turkey, according to the report, is not aligned with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, which contradicts its strategic goal of integration. The country follows a multi-layered foreign policy, playing a negative and often dangerous role in developments in Syria, Ukraine, Gaza and the South Caucasus.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Turkey maintains a mediatory role, but does not fully align with the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia. At the same time, it is taking measures to prevent the circumvention of sanctions through Turkish territory.
On migration, the 2016 EU-Turkey Statement continues to deliver results, with Turkey hosting 2.7 million refugees. The EU has allocated €12.5 billion to support refugees and host communities, providing assistance in areas such as border management, education, health and social support.
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