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EU announces strategic discussion on enlargement

Politiko 2026-06-18 21:10:57

The European Union (EU) will hold a strategic discussion on enlargement and reforms this fall, which is expected to be confirmed in the final document of the two-day summit of the European bloc's leaders, to be held on June 18 and 19 in Brussels.

"In light of the new momentum in the enlargement process and recalling the Granada Declaration, the European Council will hold a strategic discussion on enlargement and reforms at its October 2026 meeting," the draft conclusions of the leaders' meeting, seen by Radio Free Europe, state.

In this draft, the EU-Western Balkans summit, held on June 5 in Tivat, Montenegro, is assessed as an event that has contributed to creating new momentum in the enlargement process.

The upcoming strategic discussion is expected to focus on the new approach to enlargement, which has not yet been formalized, but is already mentioned in at least three documents published in recent weeks.

The first proposal was presented by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the end of May, when he submitted a so-called non-paper to the European institutions. In it, he proposed that the Western Balkan countries receive observer status in the EU, while Ukraine gains the status of an associate member without voting rights.

The day before the summit in Tivat, a second non-paper was presented – the Franco-German proposal, which aims to find solutions for the new dynamics of the enlargement process. This non-paper addresses candidate countries that are lagging behind in implementing institutional reforms, which the EU considers a key condition for membership.

Shortly after this development, a third non-paper was published, drafted by Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. It proposes that future EU members have limited rights, with the aim of protecting the functioning of European institutions and preventing any possible backsliding by new members in respecting fundamental European values.

Diplomatic sources in Brussels confirmed to Radio Free Europe that new options and approaches to the accession process are being intensively examined. The sources also hinted that future enlargements are unlikely to follow the model that has been followed in the past.

According to the draft conclusions, a new approach appears through the emphasis on “gradual integration.” Although this is not explicitly stated, this concept is related to the proposal drafted by the cabinets of the German chancellor and the French president.

"Recalling its previous conclusions, the European Council reiterates that the European Union will continue its close cooperation with the Western Balkans and will support the region's reform efforts on the path towards EU membership. The European Council remains committed to advancing gradual integration between the European Union and the region throughout the enlargement process itself, in a merit-based and reversible manner," the draft conclusions that EU leaders are expected to adopt at the end of the summit say.