The EU Working Party on Enlargement is scheduled to meet on 10 July 2026 at 10:00 in Brussels to exchange views on draft EU Common Positions for Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro, and Albania, and to receive a Commission update on the Western Balkans Reform and Growth Facility, according to a notice of meeting and provisional agenda published by the Council on 9 July 2026.
The meeting will address draft EU Common Positions for Ukraine and Moldova for cluster 6 (External relations), based on documents 9027/26 and 9030/26 respectively. For Montenegro, the working party will examine draft positions for chapter 8 (Competition policy), chapter 29 (Customs Union), and chapter 14 (Transport policy). For Albania, discussions will cover chapter 25 (Science and research), chapter 26 (Education and culture), and chapter 30 (External relations). The Commission will also provide an update on the Western Balkans Reform and Growth Facility, followed by an exchange of views among member states.
This meeting marks a step in the EU's enlargement process, which has gained momentum since the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova in June 2024. The discussions on cluster 6 for both countries focus on external relations, a chapter that includes foreign policy alignment and international agreements. For Montenegro, which has been negotiating since 2012, the chapters on competition, customs union, and transport are part of the broader acquis alignment. Albania, which opened negotiations in 2020, is advancing on science, education, and external relations chapters. The Western Balkans Reform and Growth Facility, launched in 2024, aims to support economic reforms in the region linked to EU accession progress.
The meeting is procedural in nature, with member state representatives exchanging views to prepare formal EU positions. No decisions are expected at this stage; the outcomes will feed into subsequent Council discussions. The agenda also includes any other business (AOB).