EU enlargement [What Think Tanks are thinking]

Written by Marcin Grajewski.

The European Commission is due to publish its annual ‘Enlargement Package‘, a set of documents explaining its policy on EU enlargement, ahead of the European Council’s conclusions on the issue expected in December 2023. The European Union has found new impetus for enlargement in the wake of Russia’s war on Ukraine, leading to progress in the long-stalled process that was once known as the EU’s most successful policy.

A year ago, the EU granted Ukraine and Moldova official EU candidate status, and also opened this possibility for Georgia. Politicians and analysts are increasingly saying that the EU should become more involved in the Western Balkan countries – which saw their membership prospects initiated 20 years ago – or risk them drifting away politically from the Union which would exacerbate conflicts in the post-Yugoslavia region.

‘We need to set out a vision for a successful enlargement. I believe that the next enlargement must also be a catalyst for progress’, said the European Commission’s President, Ursula von der Leyen, during her annual ‘State of Union’ speech in September 2023. The EU itself will have to undergo profound reforms before it embarks on a next enlargement wave, politicians and analysts say.

This note gathers links to the recent publications and commentaries from many international think tanks on enlargement and the problems of EU accession countries. More papers on this issue can be found in a previous item in the series.

Moldova’s European future: A call to open accession talks
European Policy Centre, October 2023

Can the European political community survive?
Centre for European Reform, October 2023

Sustain and prosper: How Europeans can support Ukraine
European Council on Foreign Relations, October 2023

Western Balkans ‘nearshoring’ can turn the region into a strategic asset for the EU
Atlantic Council, September 2023

The tyranny of EU treaties
Bruegel, September 2023

A reluctant magnet: Navigating the EU’s absorption capacity
Carnegie Europe, September 2023

The EU’s Eastern enlargement and differentiated democracy support
Carnegie Europe, September 2023

The EU cannot give up on Serbia and Kosovo
Carnegie Europe, September 2023

Turkey’s European goals: Prospects and impediments as seen from Brussels
Carnegie Europe, September 2023

Balkans occidentaux: Le cep défend l’idée d’une réforme institutionnelle en vue d’un élargissement rapide de l’Union
Centre de politique européenne, September 2023

A difficult but essential partner: How Ukraine sees Germany
Centre for Eastern Studies, September 2023

The potential impact of Ukrainian accession on the EU’s budget
Centre for European Policy Studies, September 2023

The EU and Ukraine
Clingendael, September 2023

Before it’s too late: How the EU should support the Western Balkans’ EU accession
European Council on Foreign Relations, September 2023

From rhetoric to action on enlargement: A three-pronged way forward
European Policy Centre, September 2023

The perennial question: To widen or to deepen?
European Policy Centre, September 2023

Time for the Georgian dream to deliver Georgia’s dream
European Policy Centre, September 2023

A different way of thinking about EU enlargement and reform
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik, Internationale Politik, September 2023

How Germany can realize friend-shoring in its neighbourhood
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik, September 2023

Sailing on high seas: Reforming and enlarging the EU for the 21st century
Franco-German working group on EU institutional reform, September 2023

Looking beyond the war: Planning for Ukraine’s reconstruction
Rand Corporation, September 2023

Four big geopolitical tests the European Union faces this year
Atlantic Council, August 2023

The fading star pupil: ten years of Croatia’s membership in the European Union
Centre for Eastern Studies, August 2023

Embracing the Western Balkans’ accession process: A vital question mark for the EU
Fondation Européenne d’Etudes Progressistes, August 2023

Montenegro’s political transition: From Djukanović to where?
Fondation Européenne d’Etudes Progressistes, August 2023

Five things to expect from Spain’s EU presidency
Atlantic Council, July 2023

Russia’s influence in the Balkans: The interplay of religion, politics, and history
Berkeley Center, July 2023

Want Ukraine in the EU? You’ll have to reform the EU, too
Brookings Institution, July 2023

EU enlargement and the resolution of bilateral disputes in the Western Balkans
Centre for European Policy Studies, July 2023

Vision 2030: Four steps towards the new EU enlargement
European Council on Foreign Relations, July 2023

The next European Union member is…
Atlantic Council, June 2023

Overcoming EU accession challenges in Eastern Europe: Avoiding purgatory
Carnegie Europe, June 2023

Eastern Europe joins the Western Balkans: A new start for the EU’s enlargement Policy?
German Marshal Fund, June 2023

Enlargement of the European Union: An unexpected revival
Institut Jacques Delors, June 2023

The legality of a temporal suspension of veto rights for new EU Member States
Open Society Foundation, CEPS, June 2023

European Political Community: Opportunities for the Western Balkans
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, June 2023

Read this briefing on ‘EU enlargement‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.