NEW EU ENLARGMENT STRATEGY AND COUNTRY PROGRESS REPORTS – A MOTOR FOR CHANGE ?

Abstract

In November 2015, the European Commission has adopted the new Enlargement Strategy and a new methodology in reporting on the progress countries have made in the EU accession process. The novelties in the strategy and the reporting methodology are aimed to increase transparency and facilitate greater scrutiny of reforms by all stakeholders, including civil society. What does the new approach imply and what changes can we except it to induce in the behaviour and actions of the legislator and the civil society in the accession countries?