Enlargement policy: Reforms and challenges ahead

The geopolitical dimension of enlargement policy became more pronounced in 2022, when Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia asked to join the EU. Since then, fresh geopolitical challenges have accelerated the need to reform enlargement policy and cemented a shift towards the merit-based integration of new countries. Geopolitical considerations include security and defence and also foreign policy alignment, for instance in terms of relations with strategic competitors, such as China and Russia. Enlargement also presents challenges for other areas, such as the EU's budget, decision-making and agricultural policy. Regional cooperation and the resolution of bilateral disputes meanwhile remain key elements for aspiring members. The European Commission presented its annual enlargement reports on 8 November 2023. Its strategic orientations and recommendations include accelerating the accession process with the Western Balkan countries, opening accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and granting candidate status to Georgia. They build on policy work done in recent years, including the new accession negotiation methodology adopted in February 2020 and a gradual approach to integration endorsed by the Council in June 2022. The European Council is expected to decide on these recommendations during its meeting on 14-15 December 2023. The two countries most advanced in their accession negotiations, Montenegro and Serbia, opened negotiations in 2012 and 2014 respectively. North Macedonia and Albania opened accession negotiations in 2022. Candidate country since 2022, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and potential candidate country, Kosovo*, have yet to open accession negotiations. Accession talks with Türkiye are on ice. According to the European Parliament's 2022 recommendation on the new EU strategy, enlargement policy is 'the most effective EU foreign policy instrument and one of the Union's most successful policies'. In 2023, Parliament supported the accession process and the opening of negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. In addition to its role as the budgetary authority, that endorsing the financial provisions and the budget, Parliament monitors candidates' overall progress and their implementation of the EU acquis. Parliament's consent is also required before any accession treaty can be signed.