EU Enlargement Forum

Keynote speech by Marta Kos, Commissioner for enlargement

Panel I: The Geopolitical Imperative for Enlargement

The EU’s enlargement policy has taken on renewed urgency in the wake of Russia’s continued war of aggression against Ukraine and rising geopolitical competition in Europe’s immediate neighbourhood. Some actors on the global arena are actively seeking to undermine stability, exploit vulnerabilities, and reshape the political and economic future of the Western Balkans, our Eastern neighbours, and the wider region. This panel opens the Forum by setting the geopolitical context for the discussions that follow. It will explore how enlargement supports the EU’s security, foreign influence and strategic autonomy and why completing the Union is essential for safeguarding peace, democracy, and prosperity on the continent.

Panel II: Enlargement from the Perspective of EU Member States and Regions

Support for enlargement across the EU remains positive overall, but public attitudes are shaped by national contexts, political narratives, and low levels of awareness both about enlargement policy and candidate countries. The Special Eurobarometer on enlargement results show that while a majority of 56% of EU citizens support further enlargement, concerns persist, with 67% of EU citizens not feeling sufficiently informed about enlargement. The discussion will explore how Member States and regions can contribute to a more constructive and informed public conversation that addresses concerns and busts myths, and how internal preparations, including institutional reforms, reinforce a credible and sustainable enlargement policy that works for all.

Panel III: The EU from the Perspective of Citizens in Candidate Countries

The success of enlargement depends on political will and institutional readiness as much as on how people see one another across borders. This panel brings together voices from sports, culture, and civil society across enlargement partners to reflect on how the EU is perceived beyond its current borders and how those perceptions are shaped by experience, aspiration, and identity. It offers a space to challenge preconceptions and stereotypes that often shape public opinion, particularly in Member States where knowledge of candidate countries and potential candidates often remains limited.

Keynote speech by Edi Rama, Prime minister of Albania

Getting to “YES!”

Getting to YES! will examine how to complete the accession process: from concluding negotiations and drafting accession treaties, to securing the necessary public support. As candidate countries advance in their reforms, the question is shifting from whether they are ready to join, to how and when they will. That moment requires careful preparation and joint work by all institutions. The Commission, Member States, the European Parliament, partner governments, and other key actors, including business and civil society, each have a role to play in ensuring that once conditions are met, the EU is ready to move decisively.