We are now halfway through the implementation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. Important progress was made, but a lot more work lies ahead to improve citizens' lives across the region. Let's step up efforts together & bring the positive change people rightly expect.

Last night, Russia killed 25 people in Ternopil. Just one night. Fifty missiles. Five hundred drones. This is the Ukrainian reality we should never forget. These are the strains under which the Ukrainian people reform & build their future in the European Union.

When done right, a larger Union makes us more secure & prosperous. This requires: 🔹credibility of reforms in our candidate countries, 🔹safeguards for the integrity of our Union, 🔹moving beyond Enlargement. My speech at the Enlargement Forum: link.europa.eu/RHXgWw

Opening the final of all 6 negotiating clusters with Albania, is a strong display of its commitment to its EU path. The coming year will be Albania's moment of truth to accelerate reforms. It will be Albania's chance to seize the momentum & make Albania's EU path irreversible.

In Warsaw today to mobilise private investments at the Rebuild Ukraine conference. This requires a credible reform agenda & strong anti-corruption measures. With Ukraine, we are working hard to build the trust to progress decisively & prepare for a successful reconstruction.

I am saddened by the tragic Turkish Air Force plane crash. My condolences to the families of the servicemen who lost their lives. My thoughts are with the people of Türkiye.

Autocrats fear free citizens. They put our democracies under pressure. In Member States and candidates alike. Today, the Commission adopted new tools to defend our freedoms. Our new Democracy Shield will help current and future member states to stand as one.

Moldova is on track to join the EU. Now is the time to accelerate reforms & fulfill the high ambitions. Moldovans voted loud & clear for their rightful place in Europe. 5 times in 5 years. Today is the moment to unite & build a national consensus to deliver on this promise.

This week, we wrapped up a year of assessing the reforms delivered by our future member states. 2025 saw significant progress on #EUEnlargement. Take a look behind the scenes of Enlargement Package Day 👇

To advance towards the EU, Serbia needs a framework that ensures free and fair elections & enjoys the trust of citizens. Congratulations on the adoption of the Law on the Unified Voting Register. This is an important step. We look forward to seeing the law applied in practice.

Bulgaria & North Macedonia agreed to advance work on Corridor VIII. A key project connecting the Adriatic Sea with the Black Sea via road & rail. This is an important step to build trust through regional connectivity, shared prosperity & people to people contacts.

Gender equality and non-discrimination are an integral part of EU law. Aligning with it is part of the EU accession process. This is not a private demand of the Ambassador of the EU in Albania. Any attacks on him are unacceptable.

As Tuzla continues to mourn the tragic fire in a nursing home that claimed 11 lives and left many more injured, my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. Grateful to the firefighters and medical staff who worked through the night to save lives.

2025 was a year of significant progress for EU enlargement. Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova stand out. They advanced most on reforms in the past year. Our candidates have ambitious goals to finish negotiations. The coming year will be a moment of truth.

Warm congratulations to the newly appointed Moldovan government of Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu. I look forward to working together to accelerate Moldova’s reform trajectory, and to bring a prosperous, secure, and strong democratic Moldova inside the European Union.

One year ago, the Novi Sad train station collapse took 16 lives. We remember them today. This tragedy is changing Serbia. It moved masses to stand for accountability, free expression and inclusive democracy. They are the same values to lead Serbia into the EU.

With President Macron and Minister Delegate for Europe Haddad, we discussed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European future with its Presidency. 🇧🇦 leaders have recently delivered on their Reform Agenda. We must now build on this positive step, deliver on reforms & start accession negotiations.

If done right, new members will make our Union more independent. Only a unified Europe, will give us back control over our own destiny. This effort requires a close involvement of national parliaments. Thank you for the valuable exchange at the 🇫🇷 Senate & National Assembly.

When factories of lies and disinformation thrive, the integrity of our information space is a matter of national security. Our democracies rest on independent media. We need stronger cooperation to fight back, and ensure free and reliable information for all.

An excellent choice for the 2025 Sakharov Prize. Strong leaders do not fear independent journalists. When journalists are silenced, repression and corruption thrive. We need more independent voices like Andrzej Poczobut & Mzia Amaglobeli. They must be set free. Immediately.

Now is the time for strategic choices. Also for Serbia. It needs implementing EU reforms it has repeatedly promised to deliver. It needs responding to what citizens ask loud and clearly. Now is the time to deliver & lead Serbia to the EU. The EU's offer will not be matched.

With peace taking root in the Caucasus we see a once in a generation chance to advance regional cooperation and to strengthen Europe's independence. With Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, we explored how to make infrastructure projects happen and bring Europe and Asia closer.

All countries stretching from Europe to the borders of China are in Luxembourg today. We want to connect through new infrastructure for more freedom to act & more options to trade. For more independence for all nations along this route. Today is a first step 👇🏼

Georgians want a European future. Yet disinformation & lies about Europe are promoted by those in power. Opposition are jailed. Media & civil society silenced. This must stop. We condemn all repression & urge Georgian authorities to engage in dialogue with their own citizens.

Today we agreed on a defence readiness roadmap and the steps to take until 2030. Ukraine will play a central role. Because a secure Europe needs a strong Ukraine. Together we are working to provide the strongest guarantees for peace & stability for all of Europe.

Ukraine has made remarkable progress on EU reforms. Reform momentum must be upheld for progress towards EU accession. I discussed with Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka how the EU can help with strengthening the law enforcement agencies for the benefit of all Ukrainians.

EU brings stability and prosperity by empowering independent societies. We invest in infrastructure, digital and energy connectivity. We bring legal certainty. So our close partners can grow more strongly and shape their own future.

Global Gateway is about a Europe that can act. In a world where power creates dependencies, a united continent needs integrated energy, transport and digital connections. We invest to build stronger economies, support reforms & reduce dependencies. To shape our shared future.

Starting this week, 🇲🇩 citizens and businesses will enjoy the same treatment as EU citizens when sending money or receiving payments from the EU. No more extra fees. Just one single Euro payment area. Congratulations to #SEPA membership.

This weekend’s local elections in Georgia were held after months of increasing repression. Violence is not acceptable nor is disinformation about the EU’s role in 🇬🇪 & personal attacks against the 🇪🇺 Ambassador. Citizens’ rights to freedom of assembly & expression must be upheld.

Two years ago, floods devastated my home region of Koroška. Today, I see communities rebuilt - thanks to solidarity and 🇪🇺 support. This is the true spirit of Europe.

Croatian expertise and support are essential for addressing the challenges of Western Balkan partners on their EU 🇪🇺 path. Insightful, in-depth talks today with my friend Gordan Grlić-Radman and @andrejametelko.bsky.social on advancing enlargement.

Grateful that 🇭🇷 is a strong ally of EU enlargement as well as our support to Ukraine and Moldova. With Prime Minister Andrej Plenković in Zagreb, we reaffirmed the need to take enlargement forward as the best way to address many of the challenges facing Europe.

I ended my 3-day visit to Ukraine meeting the anti-corruption institutions. Their contribution to democratic accountability builds the foundation for a strong and independent Ukraine. It is a necessity to bring Ukraine in the EU. They have our full support.

Ukraine's integration in the EU is happening. With Prime Minister Svyrydenko, I discussed the next steps of EU accession and the key reforms needed to advance. Rule of law, democratic institutions and anti-corruption bodies are the best guarantee for a strong and independent Ukraine.

Honoured to join President Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Defenders Day. Together with Minister Marie Bjerre 🇩🇰, we paid tribute to all those who risk their lives to safeguard freedom and independence. For Ukraine 🇺🇦 and for the rest of Europe 🇪🇺

I’m very happy. Bosnia and Herzegovina has shown much needed unity. We have a Reform Agenda! This is an important step to unlock the EU Growth Plan. Together we can deliver: better roads, cheaper energy, faster internet, no fees for money transactions & roaming.

Today marks an important step on Ukraine’s path to the EU. In the most difficult circumstances, Ukraine has completed the screening process of its entire legislation at record speed, laying the foundations for its European future. We now need to maintain momentum for reform.

Today I started my 3-day visit to Ukraine in Uzhhorod engaging with minority communities. European integration brought protection of minorities across our Union. Through accession, we want to build on this and bring strong protection of minorities in Ukraine too. My speech 🔗 link.europa.eu/Pfdvyr

Congratulations Moldovans 🇲🇩 Today, the strength of Moldova’s democracy resonates far beyond its borders. Despite an open assault on your elections, you withstood a flood of disinformation and interference. Now the mission starts to unite Moldovans on their journey to the EU.

Today, I addressed the 🇧🇦 Parliament. This house needs to show ownership. We have seen this country move forward when there is political will. The EU accession process offers the opportunity to address the systemic deficits that hold this country back.

Candid exchange with President Irena Hadžiabdić. Under her leadership, the Central Election Commission has been a pillar of BiH’s constitutional order. State institutions are the place to overcome this impasse and need to be respected.

🇪🇺 and 🇲🇩 have extended the Road Transport Agreement until 31 March 2027. The Agreement helps Moldova access global markets by facilitating transit through the EU and strengthening links with the EU market. Since 2022, it has boosted exports in both directions. More info ↓ link.europa.eu/ppRNb8

Today the Republic of Moldova reached another important milestone on its EU path. In just over a year, it has completed the screening process of 🇲🇩 legislation. Once again, Moldova shows it is ready for the next stage of EU accession. It is now important to keep this momentum!

I met chairwoman Borjana Kristo to discuss how to advance Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU accession path: judicial reforms, adoption of the Reform Agenda still this month & appointment of a chief negotiator. The EU needs a counterpart in BiH to move forward with technical work. ➡️ link.europa.eu/9bJVfn

Important discussion with 🇧🇦 Presidency, represented by Denis Bećirović. I expressed support for BiH’s reform path and my firm belief in BiH’s EU future. 🇧🇦 has shown it can advance when all political forces work towards EU integration. It is time to come together again.

Happy Independence Day, Armenia! I just concluded my first official visit at a time when 🇪🇺🇦🇲 ties are stronger than ever. I look forward to continuing our cooperation to strengthen 🇦🇲’s socio-economic resilience & to foster regional stability through new connectivity links.

🇪🇺 and 🇦🇲 have never been as close as now. Met Prime Minister Pashinyan in Yerevan to advance our partnership priorities. I announced the second payment of €202 million under the Resilience and Growth Plan and launched a new High-Level Policy Dialogue with Deputy Prime Minister Grigoryan.

Leadership matters. Glad to meet President Khachaturyan - I thanked him for his commitment to strengthening our relations as well as the peace process. The 🇪🇺 will continue to stand by 🇦🇲.

Respect, dialogue and mutual interests guide the 🇪🇺🇦🇿 partnership. This was clear from my meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Bayramov. We plan to take our relations even further.