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Russia's war on Ukraine has changed geopolitical realities on the continent. Since the war began, Moldova has been granted EU candidate country status. It will also host the second European Political Community summit on 1 June 2023. President Maia Sandu – supported by the country's government, led by Dorin Recean – has put forward a modernisation agenda for the country despite difficult economic and geopolitical circumstances.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the accession treaties to the former European Communities by Ireland and Denmark. The path to membership was not smooth for either country, with their first two applications made in 1961 and 1967, together with the United Kingdom, effectively blocked by French opposition. With a change of government in France, the six members of the European Communities reaffirmed their agreement to the enlargement of the Communities, and negotiations on membership ...

The enlargement from a Community of six Member States (MS) to a Union of 27 is widely regarded as the EU’s greatest policy triumph. However even amongst those MS who have succeeded in joining, there have been significant differences in their experiences of the accession process. For current and potential candidate countries, completing the process is likely to prove even more challenging.