Navigating the Future: The EU's need to reform amidst enlargement

November 2023

In the current landscape of the EU, a dynamic re-evaluation is underway, encompassing geographical considerations, institutional reforms, enhanced competencies, and strategic funding allocations. This reassessment is prompted by a critical juncture marked by geopolitical shifts, transnational crises, and internal intricacies. At the forefront of this recalibration is the imperative for EU enlargement, which has taken on renewed significance in the face of an increasingly challenging international context.

Towards a reform agenda

The inclusion of new member states is not merely a policy choice but is viewed as a geostrategic imperative. Notably these are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia on the Western Balkans, as well as Ukraine, Moldova and possibly Georgia. European leaders have recommitted to the enlargement agenda recognising its crucial role in maintaining the stability of the continent and ensuring the security of both the EU and its candidate countries. This also necessitates. rapid progress in the enlargement process, regardless of its scale.

The commitment to enlargement prospects comes with a shared understanding across the EU that reforms are essential before further expansion. The EU's institutions, policies, and budget must undergo thorough reforms to mitigate potential risks to the union's functionality. Despite widespread recognition of the need for reform, particularly in the context of a potential treaty revision, there exists a certain timidity in taking concrete steps toward this ambitious goal. Some may argue that the EU has weathered numerous crises in recent years, demonstrating resilience. However, reform is not merely a luxury but an imperative to prepare the EU for future challenges, especially given the complex international landscape.

The urgency of initiating reform is underlined by the looming 2030 target for the next enlargement, necessitating a proactive and sustained effort to navigate what will undoubtedly be a protracted and intricate process.