A geopolitical necessity and crucial investment in Europe’s future – why enlargement matters

The EU Enlargement Forum took place in Brussels on 18 November, 2025, marking an important moment in the European Union’s commitment to expand its membership. Hosted by Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, the event occurred at a time when enlargement is not only one of the EU goals to be achieved by 2030, but also a key response to urgent geopolitical shifts caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.​ 

The forum gathered high-level leaders from EU institutions and member states, alongside civil society representatives, policy experts, and youth voices from both EU and candidate countries. Following the slogan ‘Completing the Union, Securing Our Future’, participants engaged in discussions on how enlargement advances stability, prosperity, and democratic regulations across Europe.​ The event emphasised the need to move from aspiration to implementation with a forward-looking approach that upholds European values and prepares the Union for future challenges. The forum facilitated constructive conversation and policy development, highlighting that bringing enlargement closer to citizens is essential in shaping the EU’s future.

The forum opened with a video message from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in which she focused on the candidate countries and their determination to join the European family, insisting that the process is challenging, but possible in the next five years. She also mentioned the changes that had already occurred in the candidate countries with EU support, and that they could expect further improvements once once they fully joined the union.

Commissioner Marta Kos then delivered a keynote speech on the progress the candidate states had made to achieve European standards, and on the fact that EU was ready to welcome new members with shared values and beliefs.

After the introductory part, the panel marathon started, the first bringing together Marta Kos, Milojko Spajić, Prime Minister of Montenegro, Alexandru Munteanu, Prime Minister of Moldova, Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative/Vice-President, Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defene, and Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. 

Entitled ‘The Geopolitical Imperative for Enlargement’, the panel explored why bringing new members into the EU has become a strategic necessity rather than a purely technical process. The speakers argued candidate status was both a transformative opportunity for their countries and a security asset for the Union. Drawing on the experiences of the Western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine see enlargement as the EU’s strongest response to Russia’s aggression, a driver of investment and stability, and a way to foster security and foreign policy. In this context, they said the EU also needed to improve its relations with Turkey as a key regional partner. The debate also examined what candidate countries could bring to the Union, qualities like greater resilience, a larger and more dynamic market, renewed commitment to democratic reform, while stressing that these societies must already feel part of the EU as it prepares for any attempt by Russia to destabilie public order in the Eastern part of Europe and for a new security order on the continent.

The second panel’s speakers were Benjamin Haddad, French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Marie Bjerre, Danish Minister of European Affairs , Thomas Byrne, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and at the Department of Defence, Ireland, Alexandra Papadopoulou, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, and Stefan Lehne, Senior Fellow at Carnegie Europe. This panel, on ‘Enlargement from the Perspective of EU Member States and Regions’, examined how EU enlargement was perceived from the perspective of member states and regions, focusing on both public opinion and strategic interests. The discussion focused on what is at stake for existing members as the Union considers new members. Considering the recent Eurobarometer data showing that a narrow majority of EU citizens support further enlargement but that many feel poorly informed, the panel explored how national narratives, domestic politics and media coverage shape attitudes toward candidate countries, while also addressing fears of democratic backsliding or weak rule of law. At the same time, the speakers underlined enlargement was not only a technical or legal process, but a political choice that could strengthen Europe’s security, economic resilience and geopolitical power. They also emphasised that the EU’s political commitment and willingness to reform its institutions would prove as crucial as the readiness of candidate countries.

The third panel featured Paula Erizanu, Moldovan journalist and author, Amila Alidžanović, Young European Ambassador and Participant of the Youth Policy Dialogue with Commissioner Kos from Bosnia and Herzegovina/Sweden, Iryna Tytarchuk, Executive Director at the Ukraine Investment and Trade Facilitation Centre (ITFC) and founder of the Women-In platform, and Bojana Selaković, Head of the National Convention on the EU in Serbia. Under the name ‘The EU from the Perspective of Citizens in Candidate Countries’, the panel focused on how the Union is seen by people living beyond its current borders. Bringing together voices from journalism, youth activism, civil society and business from countries such as Moldova, Ukraine and the Western Balkans, the discussion explored how everyday experiences, aspirations and identity shape perceptions of the EU, including both hopes for integration and frustrations with slow progress. The panel analysed how culture, sports and basic engagement could challenge stereotypes on both sides, strengthen a sense of belonging to a wider European community and ensure that enlargement was understood not only as a geopolitical project, but also as a citizen-driven process grounded in mutual understanding and trust.​

Then, there was a break from the panels in which Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama held a speech, addressing the EU enlargement as Europe’s reunification, being essential for peace, prosperity, and strategic autonomy amid global challenges like Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. He celebrated Albania’s success of opening all 28 negotiation chapters under Commissioner Marta Kos, mentioning her leadership and renewed EU commitment, while noting that 92% of the Albanian public support accession. Rama outlined five truths: enlargement heals historical wounds, extends peace, fulfils promises, unleashes prosperity and proves effectiveness. He positioned Albania as a committed contributor, ready to serve the EU’s future development projects.

Finally, the last panel, ‘Getting to YES!’, examined how the European Union and candidate countries can successfully complete the final stages of the accession process, from closing negotiations and drafting accession treaties to securing public and political support for membership. It highlighted the gap between relatively low public awareness of enlargement, the spread of misinformation and fear-based narratives, and the need for clear, fact-based communication that addresses concerns about migration and corruption, while also telling compelling human stories. 

Based on experiences from Serbia, Slovenia, and other countries, the discussion warned that long delays could undermine credibility and public faith, and that merit-based conditionality must be combined with consistent projects, clear decisions, strong political leadership and active engagement with civil society. The panellists, Ana Brnabić, President of the National Assembly of Serbia, David McAllister, MEP and Chair of the AFET Committee, Neva Grašič, State Secretary for European Affairs, International Law and Protection of Interests and Economic Diplomacy in Slovenia, Seda Gürkan, Assistant Professor in International Relations and EU Studies at Leiden University, Visiting Professor at the College of Europe, and Professor in EU Studies at the Université libre de Bruxelles, argued that to truly “get to yes”, the EU must match the high motivation of candidate countries with credible commitments and better strategic communication, so that enlargement is seen as a geopolitical necessity for Europe’s security and resilience.

The Forum ended with a closing speech by António Costa, President of the European Council. He emphasised enlargement as one of the European Union’s most urgent and transformative priorities. He framed enlargement as an important investment for Europe’s future, strengthening democracy, the rule of law and shared prosperity, while enhancing the EU’s global influence and security. Costa highlighted the significant progress made by countries such as Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova, and underlined the strategic importance of integrating candidate countries to counter external threats, particularly from Russia. He stressed the need for the EU to prepare internally to accommodate new members while maintaining strict merit-based criteria and safeguarding democratic values. Costa called for decisive political will, enhanced communication to address misinformation and public concerns, and collective commitment to ensure enlargement is a realistic and credible path forward for a stronger, united Europe.

The EU Enlargement Forum 2025 successfully elevated the enlargement debate to a strategic and inclusive level, reaffirming enlargement as a geopolitical necessity and a crucial investment in Europe’s future security, stability and prosperity. The Forum brought together high-level policymakers, civil society and citizens from both member and candidate countries to discuss the imperative of integrating new members like Ukraine, Moldova and the countries of the Western Balkans. While challenges remain, including the need for credible political will, public engagement and internal EU reforms, the event demonstrated commitment to a merit-based, transparent and citizen-focused enlargement process that strengthens the Union against external threats and unites the continent.