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The EU's long-term budget negotiations explained step by step
The timeline below explains, step by step, the role of each EU institution involved in adopting the EU’s long-term budget, also known as multiannual financial framework (MFF).
How EU enlargement works
The EU integrates new members through the enlargement process once they meet a number of political and economic conditions. Each candidate country has to fulfil the same conditions and complete the same steps.
The EU's long-term budget
The long-term budget or multiannual financial framework (MFF) provides for the financing of programmes and actions in all policy areas, from agriculture and regional policy, to support to Ukraine, strategic technologies and migration, in line with the EU’s long-term priorities.
Türkiye
Türkiye was granted candidate status in December 1999 and began accession negotiations in October 2005. These negotiations are at a standstill since June 2018. The EU and Türkiye cooperate in areas of joint interest.
Georgia
Georgia applied for EU membership in March 2022 and was granted candidate status in December 2023. The accession process came to a de facto halt in 2024. The EU and Georgia also cooperate in the context of the Eastern Partnership.
Ukraine
The EU and its member states stand united in their unwavering support for Ukraine. Accession negotiations with Ukraine were formally opened in June 2024. The EU and Ukraine also cooperate within the Eastern Partnership.
Albania
Albania applied for EU membership in April 2009 and was granted EU candidate status in June 2014. The EU held its first intergovernmental conference with Albania in July 2022. So far, all 33 negotiation chapters have been opened and four have been provisionally closed.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina applied for EU membership in February 2016 and was granted EU candidate status in December 2022. Once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved, Bosnia and Herzegovina can start accession negotiations.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia applied for EU membership in March 2004 and was granted EU candidate status in December 2005. The EU held its first intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia in July 2022.
The recovery and resilience facility
The recovery and resilience facility (RRF) is the bulk of Next Generation EU. It is a temporary instrument that provides grants and loans to support reforms and investments in the EU member states.
