António Costa: Moldova and Ukraine Completed the EU Screening Process in Record Time

European Council President António Costa praised Ukraine and Moldova’s remarkable progress on their path toward EU membership.

Speaking at the EU Enlargement Summit, organized by Euronews, he noted that both countries completed the EU legislation screening in record time, despite war and persistent external pressures.

“Ukraine — a country at war — and Moldova, facing constant attacks on its democracy and sovereignty, have completed the screening conducted by the European Commission within a single year — in record time,” Costa said.

He emphasized that EU enlargement is not an abstract vision but a transformative process, key to reinforcing democracy, rule of law, and resilience across Europe.

Comment by the Institute of Danube Research:

The IDR welcomes António Costa’s statement as a clear message of confidence in the European future of Ukraine and Moldova and a reflection of the renewed momentum of EU enlargement within the Danube Region.
The record-speed completion of the screening demonstrates institutional readiness and commitment to EU standards, strengthening the stability and cooperation of the broader Danube macroregion.

For the Danube space, this progress symbolizes not only political alignment but also a practical step toward deeper collaboration in governance, security, environment, and connectivity.