EU is drawing up membership action plans for most promising candidates – POLITICO

BRUSSELS — The EU is developing proposals that would see the four countries closest to joining the bloc given a clear, step-by-step path toward membership — while the others languish behind.

Targeted “roadmaps” are being considered for Montenegro, Ukraine, Moldova and Albania, two senior European Commission officials working on the draft proposals told POLITICO, as part of efforts to speed up the decades-long process. They were granted anonymity to speak about the sensitive plans.

The four countries are seen as frontrunners to join the EU, but still face slow progress and unclear timelines as to when they might formally be admitted. While Brussels has long backed their membership bids, the roadmaps mark the first time they will be given assurances that if they continue with essential reforms, they will be admitted — and offered indicative timelines for the completion of negotiations.