Geopolitics and a renewed consensus among EU Member States form the backdrop for Commissioner Marta Kos’s recent speech at the 3rd Delphi Brussels Forum, where she highlighted enlargement as central to Europe’s strategic response in an increasingly competitive and transactional world order. She emphasized that enlargement now carries greater significance than five years ago, partly due to Russia's war against Ukraine and broader shifts in global power dynamics.
Enlargement Amidst Geopolitical Pressures
Kos pointed to the EU’s commitment to preserving unity and strength, warning against divisions that could render Europe weak amid global competition. While acknowledging the geopolitical imperatives driving enlargement momentum, she firmly rejected any idea of a "geopolitical discount," underscoring adherence to a merit-based accession process governed by rule of law, democracy, and fundamental values without exception.
Concrete Policy Orientations and Challenges
Kos laid out a policy orientation aiming for acceleration of enlargement proceedings through up to 10 intergovernmental conferences to open and close negotiation chapters, with a realistic prospect for one or more candidate countries joining the Union within the current mandate. However, the process demands substantial reform efforts from candidate countries, including broad national ownership of the accession process. She also revealed plans for institutional reforms to adapt the EU for 30+ members and explored broader integration options such as incremental access to the Single Market.
Stakeholder Impacts
Candidate countries face major demands to comply fully with EU standards, which could spark significant political and social reforms domestically. EU Member States might contend with the complexity and costs of institutional reforms required to accommodate a larger Union. Meanwhile, EU businesses and consumers may see moderate benefits from gradual Single Market integration, fostering increased trade and investment opportunities. Civil society in both candidate and member states holds a crucial role in supporting democratic values throughout accession. Kos’s speech thus reflects a careful balancing act: encouraging enlargement’s benefits while ensuring rigorous standards and substantial reforms, highlighting tensions between expanding EU influence and maintaining regulatory and institutional integrity.