ResponsibilitiesThe mission of the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) is to take forward the EU's Neighbourhood and Enlargement policies. DG NEAR works closely with the European External Action Service and the line DGs in charge of thematic priorities.By implementing assistance actions in Europe's eastern and southern neighbourhood, DG NEAR supports reform and democratic consolidation, and strengthens the prosperity, stability and security around Europe. DG NEAR helps to promote EU values, policies and interests in this region, and to contribute to developing the special relationship of the EU with its neighbouring countries.In the enlargement area, DG NEAR assists those countries with a perspective to join the EU in meeting the criteria defined by the Treaty of European Union and the European Council. DG NEAR closely monitors the progress of enlargement countries towards the EU and supports accession negotiations as required by the Council. The DG manages the bilateral relations of the Union with candidate and potential candidate countries on their path to the EU, frontloading reforms on rule of law, economic governance and public administration reform. Concerning the Western Balkans, the DG develops and implements the stabilisation and association policy of the European Union as defined by the European Council.DG NEAR manages the bulk of the Union’s financial and technical assistance to the neighbourhood and enlargement countries.DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations is based in Brussels and has approximately 1,650 staff members in Brussels and in the EU Delegations in the partner countries, working under the political authority of Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi and managed by Director-General Gert Jan Koopman.European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations website Leadership and organisation Commissioner Marta Kos Director-General Gert Jan Koopman 16 OCTOBER 2024DG NEAR organisation chart Search for staff Contact Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations NameDirectorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement NegotiationsPhone number+32 2 299 11 11 (Commission switchboard)Postal addressEuropean Commission Rue de la Loi 15/ Wetstraat 15 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel Belgium Press contacts Send a message to this department Related links More on the topic of European neighbourhood policy Plans and reports Commission work programmeoverview of institution-wide deliverables for current yearStrategic plandepartment strategy, objectives for 2020-2024Management plandepartment forecasted outputs, activities, resources for current yearAnnual activity reportdepartment achievements, resources used during previous year Latest News article5 December 2024On the 10th Anniversary of the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis - “Madad Fund”, the EU and Member States Convene to Review Its Progress and Impact2 min readNews article2 December 2024The von der Leyen Commission 2024-2029 takes office1 min readNews article1 December 2024Statement by the High Representative / Vice-President of the Commission Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos on Georgia1 min readSee more news
News article5 December 2024On the 10th Anniversary of the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis - “Madad Fund”, the EU and Member States Convene to Review Its Progress and Impact2 min read
News article1 December 2024Statement by the High Representative / Vice-President of the Commission Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos on Georgia1 min read