DUBLIN, June 23 — Ireland is set to take over the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the EU on July 1, and this half year will be significant for the enlargement of the bloc. The mechanics here are straightforward: as the new president, Ireland will play a key role in guiding the EU’s expansion. But the success of this endeavor will depend on various factors, including the progress of candidate countries such as Montenegro, Ukraine, Moldova, and Albania.
On closer reading, it becomes clear that Ireland’s presidency is not just a symbolic role. The country has a track record of supporting EU enlargement, having held the presidency in 2004 when the EU carried out its big bang enlargement, welcoming eight Central and Eastern European countries into the club as well as Cyprus and Malta.
Irish diplomats point out that this experience is still remembered fondly on the island, and numerous public surveys show that the Irish are largely supportive of enlarging the club. The issue of EU enlargement is one of Dublin’s top priorities for the coming months, and significant progress is therefore expected. Ireland is seen as a proper “honest broker” on the issue – one of the few member states whose government has never blocked any enlargement steps and doesn’t have any bilateral issues with any of the candidate countries.
Montenegro is obviously the one to watch at the moment. The small Western Balkan country has currently closed 16 out of 33 chapters in its accession talks, and its progress will be closely monitored in the coming months.
Montenegro might wrap up talks under Irish auspices, setting it on course to become EU member by 2028. A sharp rise in diplomatic activity is expected in the coming months as Ireland takes the reins of the EU presidency. The country’s ability to facilitate progress in the enlargement process will be closely watched, and any developments will have significant implications for the region.
As the presidency begins, all eyes will be on Dublin to see how it will navigate the complex web of interests and priorities that will shape the EU’s expansion. Looking ahead, the next few months will be crucial in determining the trajectory of EU enlargement. With Ireland at the helm, the stage is set for significant progress, but the outcome is far from certain.
As the situation unfolds, it will be essential to follow the developments closely and analyze the implications of each step forward or backward. For now, the focus will be on Montenegro and the other candidate countries as they continue on their path towards EU membership.
