Commissioner Marta Kos unveiled the 2025 Enlargement Package to the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, outlining concrete steps for EU candidate countries and calling for enhanced Union readiness. Her remarks mark a continuation of the EU's strategic enlargement policy amidst a shifting geopolitical landscape.
Integration with Conditions and Reform Ambitions Kos emphasized early integration for candidate countries such as Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine, referencing concrete progress in energy market inclusion, single market standards alignment, and financial integration through mechanisms like SEPA. These integration steps hinge on candidates’ respect for the rule of law, fundamental rights, and alignment with EU foreign and security policy – establishing a conditional approach balancing EU influence and candidate reforms.
Clear Milestones for Candidates Kos highlighted ambitious timelines: Montenegro targets finishing negotiations by 2026, Albania by 2027, Moldova and Ukraine by 2028. The presentation references concrete progress measures, such as Montenegro’s closed negotiation chapters and Albania’s cluster openings. However, other candidates like Serbia and Georgia face challenges including slowed reforms and democratic backsliding. Kosovo’s political deadlock and stalled progress in Türkiye also were noted.
Preparing the EU for Enlargement Significantly, Kos called for stronger safeguards in future accession treaties to prevent post-accession backsliding on democracy and rule of law, a policy orientation implying increased EU supervisory mechanisms and higher integration demands on new members. She also warned that any enlargement must strengthen the Union and that communication to citizens in Member States and candidate countries will be intensified.
Stakeholder Impact This package impacts EU institutions by signaling a push for greater regulatory oversight and stronger accession conditions, likely increasing workload and enforcement responsibilities. Candidate countries like Montenegro and Albania receive incentives to accelerate reforms and integration but face higher expectations and scrutiny. EU consumers and industries may benefit from expanded single market reach and harmonized standards. Civil society in candidate countries could gain from linked democracy-strengthening programmes but may face intensified political pressure to comply.
Commissioner Kos’s speech illustrates a political balance between fostering integration and safeguarding EU values, with a concrete timeline and reform-based milestones seeking to shape a stronger, more cohesive enlarged Union.
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