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The flag of the Republic of Moldova, the EU flag and a flag with the Chisinau city coat of arms next to each other on Moldova's Independence Day.

The flag of the Republic of Moldova, the EU flag and a flag with the Chisinau city coat of arms next to each other on Moldova's Independence Day.

EU enlargement and reform

The long-stagnant policy field of EU enlargement has gained new political momentum since Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the resulting accession prospects for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. EU leaders now refer to enlargement as a "geopolitical investment" for peace, prosperity and security in Europe. The accession processes of the Western Balkans are also to be revitalised. Yet the EU has lost credibility in these countries, some of which have been waiting 20 years for major progress, while the necessary reforms in the rule of law and democracy have yet to materialise. At the same time, enlargement policy has become part of the EU's geostrategic competition with Russia and China.

The current status of nine European countries seeking EU membership promises to increase the EU's future geopolitical weight. On the flip side, an EU comprising over 30 member states would be compelled to acknowledge that the current decision-making procedures could sooner or later lead to intractable blockages and problems, many of which already exist today. The question of how to approach enlargement and institutional as well as policy reforms in parallel will therefore be issues that will not only be addressed in the upcoming EU election campaign. Furthermore, the question of gradual accession to the EU and the parallel debate on the necessity of reforms to the Union's budget, policies and institutions are likely to be a central focus of the strategic agenda for the 2024-2029 legislative period.

Enlargement

Reform