Enlargement

The ETUC welcomed the enlargement of the EU to ten new Member States in May 2004, as well as Bulgaria and Romania in 2007, and Croatia in 2013. The ETUC had already grasped the importance of reuniting Europe and welcomed trade union organisations from the former candidate countries into its own membership.

The ETUC works with these affiliates to build a strong framework for social dialogue, with the aim of promoting workers’ rights, equalising working and living conditions between eastern and western Member States, and encouraging the democratic participation of all citizens. In cooperation with the ITUC Pan-European Regional Council (PERC), it supports and where possible affiliates democratic trade union organisations in the current candidate countries Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey, and potential candidates Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

05.11.2024 Press release

Commission stresses social dimension in enlargement process

The European Commission's 2024 enlargement package recognises that strengthening social dialogue, including the capacities of social partners, continues to be relevant in order to address labour market challenges in candidate countries.
25.06.2024 Press release

Social standards must be upheld in accession talks

Trade unions are calling for the European Union’s social and labour standards to be fully upheld in negotiations on the accession of Ukraine, Moldova and Montenegro.
19.06.2024 Document

Solidarnost Declaration

We, the trade union confederations, members of the Regional Trade Union Council Solidarnost, as follows:
25.04.2024 Document

20 Years of EU membership: empowering working people

On May 1, 2004, a historic moment unfolded as ten countries—Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia—joined the European Union. This was the largest enlargement in the EU’s history.             
24.04.2024 Circular

Follow-up : Trade Union Summit for Ukraine - Declaration

Brussels, 24 April 2024 To: Members of the Executive Committee To: Member organisations Dear colleagues On 22. and 23. April ETUC hold a Trade Union Summit for Ukraine, in Lublin, Poland, where we gathered more than 110 trade unionists from Europe and Ukraine. At the Summit, we discussed:
26.03.2024 Event

Trade Union Summit for Ukraine 22-23 April 2024

Trade unionists from across Ukraine and Europe are in Lublin, Poland, for the Trade Union Summit for Ukraine. Key focusses of the discussions will be:The trade unions role in restoring Ukraine through social dialogue and collective bargainingSocial conditionalities in reconstruction processRole of trade unions in EU accession processRebuilding trade union power 
15.12.2023 Press release

Accession: historic decision must deliver for workers

The ETUC welcomes the news that accession negotiations will open with Ukraine and Moldova. The decisions to grant candidate status to Georgia and to open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is reached are also important. We call on the governments to work closely with trade unions in the countries so that Ukraine and Moldova meet accession requirements and fully adhere to the social acquis. The ETUC is calling for a social partner summit to take place before the 2024 EU-Ukraine Summit.
04.10.2023 Press release

EU must assist Ukraine reach social standards

EU social partners high-level mission to Kyiv expressed the solidarity of the European trade union movement and of SGI Europe for Ukraine, its people, their trade unions and employers’ organisations.  
28.10.2022 Press release

Ukrainian and Moldovan unions join ETUC

The ETUC is proud to welcome into its family the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine (FPU), the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine (KVPU) and the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM). “The future of Ukraine and Moldova is in the European Union” said Luca Visentini, ETUC General Secretary, “and the trade unions of Ukraine and Moldova need the support and solidarity of the ETUC to defend the rights of workers in these difficult and dangerous times, and to assist in ensuring that the interests of working people are represented she accession process.
06.09.2022 Press release

Georgia should be EU candidate says ETUC

The ETUC regrets that EU membership remains closed to Georgia. Liina Carr, ETUC Confederal Secretary, speaking ahead of the EU-Georgia Association Council meeting this evening, said “The country has advanced much further in implementing the Association Agreement than other countries and Georgian people should not be held hostage to political games.
20.07.2022 Press release

EU needs to send Ukraine message on workers' rights warns ETUC

While the Ukrainian people bravely resist the Russian invasion and help displaced people, the Ukrainian Government and Parliament are using the war as an excuse to attack workers’ rights and unions – in blatant contradiction of the country’s aspirations to join the EU.
19.07.2022 Press release

Albania & North Macedonia accession must prioritise workers' & social rights

European trade unions support the opening of EU accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia.  Liina Carr, ETUC Confederal Secretary, said “Albania and North Macedonia need to join the EU to secure workers’ rights, a brighter economic future and safeguard democracy. At the same time the EU needs to reassure the people of the western Balkans that there really is a place for them under the democratic and social umbrella of the social market economy of the EU.
15.03.2021 Press release

EU-Georgia Association Council must do more for workers’ rights

The EU-Georgia Association Council meeting on 16 March is called on to do more to advance workers’ rights and European values by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and Georgian Trade Union Confederation (GTUC). ETUC and GTUC point out that
06.05.2020 Press release

Western Balkans Summit needs positive accession message from EU

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes today’s EU-Western Balkans Zagreb Summit going ahead. But despite the recent positive decision to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, a broader message on positive prospects of the future of the accession process for the Western Balkans is missing. The Summit hopefully will strengthen political dialogue and socio-economic cooperation between the EU and the region and show solidarity and joint effort in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
25.03.2020 Press release

Unions support EU accession negotiations with Albania & North Macedonia

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)  and the Pan European Regional Council of the International Trade Union Confederation (PERC) strongly urge the European Council, meeting tomorrow, to approve the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia - righting the wrong decision that was made in October 2019.
10.05.2019 Page

Balkan unions agree to cooperate

The Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro (UFTUM) and the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania (BSPSH) have concluded a cooperation agreement for the next four years, pledging mutual respect and an exchange of knowledge and experience. Srdja Kekovic, the Secretary General of UFTUM – an existing ETUC affiliate – and Gezim Kalaja, President of BSPSH, which has requested affiliation, signed the deal in the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica.
17.04.2018 Press release

ETUC on EU enlargement

According to media reports the European Commission will today recommend that Albania and Macedonia start EU accession negotiations, and be critical about Turkey’s lack of progress towards EU fundamental human rights, justice and freedom of expression. The European Trade Union Confederation
02.10.2013 Page

5. Events
20.09.2013 Speech

High Level International Conference - Bridge to Welfare - the Role of Social Dialogue for Sustainable Economic and Social Development

Riga, 20/09/2013 [Check against delivery] Dear Prime Minister, speakers, colleagues, friends, distinguished guests,
01.07.2013 Press release

Croatia: 28th Member of the European Union

Brussels, 01/07/2013 The ETUC reminds the Croatian Government of the importance of involving the social partners at an early stage during the public consultations process. It regrets that the Government did not follow that approach in relation to the Law recently adopted on relations between the Parliament and the Government in EU affairs. It calls for a commitment on its part to ensure genuine and substantive social dialogue. The ETUC also reiterates its principled support for free movement of EU workers.
01.07.2013 Page

2. Enlargement

Józef Niemiec (send a mail) Advisor: Sarah King (send a mail) Sec: Andrea Lewis (send a mail) Tel: +32 2 2240441 fax: +32 2 2240454/55
13.06.2013 Press release

The ETUC supports the joint letter to the Croatian Government on the regulation of European affairs

Brussels, 13/06/2013
12.12.2012 Document

ETUC position on free movement of labour for Croatia

Brussels, 05-06/12/2012 On 1st July 2013 Croatia will join the European Union.
26.09.2006 Press release

Bulgarian and Romanian accession: an important step but improvements are still needed

Brussels, 26 September 2006
18.01.2006 Speech

CGIL Congress (Italian General Confederation of Labour - Italy)

Palermo, 18/01/2006 To be checked against delivery I am grateful to the CGIL for the opportunity to visit Palermo and Sicily, to come to one of Europe's great crossroads, and to address you today on taking Europe's forward. 2005 was a bad year for Europe. A few years ago, the Queen of England reflecting on the bedroom antics of her children, said that the year in question had been an “annus horribilis”. Well 2005 was such an “annus horribilis” for the European Union. There were several reasons: