Accessibility links

Breaking News

Incoming Commissioner Says No EU Enlargement For Five Years


EU Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations Commissioner-designate Johannes Hahn
EU Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations Commissioner-designate Johannes Hahn

BRUSSELS -- EU Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations Commissioner-designate Johannes Hahn has said there won't be any EU enlargement during his five-year mandate if he becomes the EU commissioner responsible for the portfolio.

Speaking at a hearing in the European Parliament on September 30, the Austrian echoed EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in saying that no new country will join the club this decade.

Hahn didn't say that this doesn't mean the enlargement process will be at a standstill and that enlargement negotiations will continue with countries such as Montenegro and Serbia.

Speaking about the Western Balkans, Hahn said the region cannot be a blank spot in Europe when it comes to transport and energy infrastructure and underlined that the EU would work to connect the countries in the region.

  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL

    RFE/RL journalists report the news in 27 languages in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG