Confederations

As a result of their own political naivety, and the EU's failure to truly support them, the political fortunes of the region's pro-EU favourites have faded.

Hungary and Poland voted against the EU's plan to voluntarily reduce gas consumption by 15% compared to the five-year average for the period from 1 August 2022 to 31 March 2023.

According to EU information, the mentioned countries are the only ones opposed to the initiative.

The survey finds that 58 and 59 percent of EU citizens aren’t ready to accept rising energy and food prices

It is a historic moment said the top EU officials

The European Council, the body comprising the heads of state or government of the EU member states, was expected on Thursday to grant candidate country status to Ukraine and Moldova, according to an internal document of the European Council seen by Balkan Insight.

"When it comes to the future of the EU, we are obviously looking for solutions that imply a repetition of history", believes diplomat and analyst of international relations Zoran Milivojevic. According to him, the statements of the President of the European Commission should be interpreted in that key. Ukraine's membership in the EU - on the front line towards Russia.

According to the new instrument of the ECFR - the European Sovereignty Index, Bulgaria is among the weakest links in the concept of European sovereignty, with significant gaps in the economy, defense and technology.

People take part in a protest under the slogan 'Not one more' in front of the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, in Prague, Czech Republic, 11 November 2021. EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK

Yet, despite overwhelming support for Ukraine in its fight for survival against Russian aggression, many of the 27 member states are leery of diminishing the accession process just to make a symbolic gesture to a country in need.

Currently, almost 75 percent of EU supply (EU-27 and UK) arrives on the continent by pipeline