Overview

• European Council President António Costa is lobbying capitals to allow opening negotiating clusters by qualified majority to unblock Ukraine and Moldova.
• The European Commission said empowering the Council to decide certain interim enlargement steps by qualified majority could be explored.
• Any change to the negotiating framework would still need member-state approval, with Hungary signaling continued opposition to fast-tracking Ukraine.
• Costa gauged support during a tour of capitals and UN meetings, with the idea potentially surfacing at this week’s informal leaders’ gathering in Copenhagen.
• Moldova’s pro‑EU government pressed for momentum after securing a renewed mandate, as Ukraine completed screening and the enlargement chief said Kyiv is ready to move to the next step.