New 2025 EU enlargement reports on Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia
On 4 November 2025, the European Commission adopted its annual enlargement package, a comprehensive set of assessments of the progress made by candidate and aspiring countries toward membership of the European Union.
At the same time, the European Disability Forum (EDF) published its own analysis titled 2025 EU Enlargement Reports: Progress, Challenges, and Disability Rights in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. The document shows that enlargement reviews are not only about economic or geopolitical issues, but also about ensuring strong human rights and inclusive policies, especially for persons with disabilities.
Ukraine and Moldova: Signs of progress
The EDF report recognises Ukraine’s “remarkable resilience and political determination” to remain on the EU path despite the challenges posed by war.
Moldova is also applauded for making “the biggest one-year progress of all candidates,” despite pressure from external forces trying to destabilise the country.
However, EDF emphasises that formal political or institutional reforms do not automatically translate into real improvement in the life of people with disabilities. Inclusion in employment, education, accessible infrastructure, social protection requires dedicated legislation, effective implementation and the removal of existing barriers. EDF also urges that the incoming phase of EU accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova should be disability-inclusive, with the active involvement of organisations of persons with disabilities.
For Moldova, this may mean an opportunity to advance deinstitutionalisation (i.e. shifting away from institutional care) and to develop community-based, human-rights oriented support services. EDF and other organisations are already supporting these changes.
Georgia: From EU candidate to candidate in name only
The situation in Georgia is very different from the more positive developments in Ukraine and Moldova. The enlargement European Commission report condemns Georgia for “serious democratic backsliding,” deterioration on the rule of law, media freedom, civic space and fundamental rights. As a result, Georgia is now considered a candidate country in name only.
From the point of view of disability rights, this regression raises major concerns. EDF’s report presents Georgia’s situation as a warning: without meaningful reforms and strong commitment to inclusion, progress towards EU membership cannot be meaningful.
What comes next
Overall, the 2025 enlargement package suggests cautious optimism. For Ukraine and Moldova, there is a window of opportunity: ongoing reforms, political ambition and strong external support could open the way to the next stage of accession.
But the inclusion of disability rights means that success will depend on deep structural change. It is not enough to adopt EU-style legislation: candidate countries must implement inclusive policies, ensure accessibility, protect civil rights and involve persons with disabilities in the process.
For Georgia, the message is clear: unless there is a radical reversal of recent trends (restoring democracy, media freedom and human rights) EU aspirations will remain only symbolic.