EU enlargement: a strategic investment in Europe’s security and stability

Enlargement strengthens EU security and prevents destabilising geopolitical grey zones

Progress must remain merit-based, values-driven and conditional on reforms

Cost of non-enlargement would exceed that of absorbing new members

Greater use of qualified majority voting in areas relevant to the accession process needed

In a report adopted on Wednesday, MEPs say that enlargement is a strategic response to the evolving geopolitical reality and a vital investment in the EU’s security and stability.

Parliament argues the cost of non-enlargement would exceed that of new members joining the EU, risking the creation of geopolitical grey zones vulnerable to antagonistic foreign influence. The report notes that Montenegro and Albania have already set ambitious objectives for concluding their accession negotiations by the end of 2026 and 2027 respectively. The EU should encourage these countries when their ambition is matched by tangible reforms, with MEPs calling on the Council to acknowledge this momentum and remove whatever obstacles there are on the EU’s side. MEPs also want the swift opening of negotiating clusters with Ukraine and Moldova.

Accession must remain merit-based and reversible

Reaffirming that accession must remain merit-based and reversible, and that no country should be treated as part of a package, MEPs stress there can be no shortcuts on EU values and fundamental principles. The rule of law, democratic reforms, media freedom, minority rights, judicial independence, and the fight against corruption must remain at the forefront of the enlargement process, alongside sustained support for civil society.

Alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP) is a key indicator of a candidate country’s geostrategic orientation. MEPs note that the most worrying democratic backsliding is occurring in enlargement countries with the lowest CFSP alignment, and in those where the accession process has effectively stalled.

MEPs note increased support for EU membership in Iceland, and welcome potential initiatives by Greenland to strengthen its links with the EU.

Monitoring of reforms

MEPs are calling for strengthened monitoring of reforms in candidate countries under the “fundamentals cluster” and for reinforced support for pro-EU civil society actors who are committed to the necessary reforms and European values.

The report also says there should be adequate pre-accession funding under the new EU long-term budget and deeper cooperation on infrastructure, security, resilience and countering foreign information manipulation.

The report was adopted with 385 votes in favour, 147 against and 98 abstentions

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Rapporteur Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, Lithuania) said: “With each new member, Europe’s political and economic power has grown, delivering prosperity and security to its citizens. In light of today’s challenges, we must improve the EU integration model to better reflect the Union’s interests and the expectations of candidate countries. EU enlargement must go hand in hand with internal reforms to safeguard the EU’s functioning and improve decision-making processes, including the greater use of qualified majority voting. The EU must complete these reforms by the time frontrunner candidates fulfil membership criteria and are prepared for EU accession.”