Nikola Dobroslavić (HR/EPP), Chair of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Assembly and member of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), has been appointed rapporteur for the CoR opinion on the European Commission's 2026 Enlargement Package, focusing on the Western Balkans and Türkiye.
The opinion will assess progress towards EU membership, highlighting the role of local and regional authorities in the enlargement process and the importance of meeting EU accession criteria.
“I am grateful to our Group for the nomination and to the CIVEX Commission for appointing me rapporteur. EU regions and cities have consistently supported enlargement countries on their European path, while insisting that the criteria for EU membership must be fully met and advocating a merit-based approach, whereby the pace of accession depends on progress in fulfilling the required conditions,” said Dobroslavić.
A long-standing member of the EPP-CoR Group, Dobroslavić brings extensive experience in EU enlargement and cooperation with candidate countries. As Co-Chair of the CoR–Montenegro Joint Consultative Committee, he has actively supported Montenegro's European integration, emphasising the importance of involving local and regional authorities in the accession process.
The opinion will also provide an opportunity to assess the European Commission's proposals for preparing the EU for future enlargements, including their implications for regions and cities.
Next steps:
The draft opinion is scheduled for discussion and adoption in the CIVEX Commission on 9 February 2027, followed by adoption at the CoR plenary session on 21–22 April 2027.