The EU has not had a new member in eleven years, but now Council President António Costa is delighted with the new momentum in the expansion process.
We have seen significant progress in the past year, says Costa after Wednesday evening's summit with the six applicant countries in the Western Balkans.
Albania has recently initiated several so-called negotiation chapters, while Montenegro has completed an increasing number.
The latter country is aiming for membership in just over three years.
This is a win-win situation for everyone, says President Jakov Milatovic in Brussels.
The increased tempo is largely due to Russia's war in Ukraine, which has prompted both the EU and the applicant countries to make an extra effort, for purely geopolitical reasons.
The current EU Presidency, Hungary, has been praised for its hard work for the Western Balkans. On the other hand, it has been criticized for slowing down when it comes to Ukraine.
Hungary has not exactly sped up the process. It's no secret. Sweden is at the other end, pushing, says EU Minister Jessica Rosencrantz (M), who hopes for improvement for Ukraine when Poland takes over as Presidency on January 1.
This is how the situation can be summarized regarding upcoming EU expansion:
* Full speed ahead: Montenegro and Albania have recently opened or completed several negotiation chapters.
* Gearing up: Ukraine and Moldova hope for real negotiation starts in the spring.
* Getting back on track: Serbia is receiving strong support from Hungary and is expected to soon open new negotiation chapters after several years of stagnation.
* Sand in the gears: North Macedonia is being blocked by Bulgaria in a bitter dispute over language and history.
* Idling: Bosnia and Herzegovina is torn apart by internal division, and Kosovo is not yet recognized by all EU countries.
* At a standstill: Turkey's negotiations have been frozen for several years after EU criticism of an increasingly authoritarian leadership.
* Has put it in reverse: Georgia's Russia-friendly government has paused all EU negotiations until 2028.
