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REPORT (2025/2110(INI))

On the EU enlargement strategy

A-10-2026-0016

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Petras Auštrevičius

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Parliament's resolution on the EU enlargement strategy reiterates that enlargement is a strategic investment in security and stability, and that accession must remain merit-based and reversible. It calls for reforms in the EU to ensure effective functioning after enlargement, including qualified majority voting in intermediate steps, and for clear timelines and financial support for candidate countries. It stresses the importance of rule of law, fundamental rights, CFSP alignment, and countering foreign interference, and urges the Commission to include all enlargement countries in its rule of law report.

Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes a resolution that reaffirms the strategic importance of enlargement, calls for merit-based and reversible progress, and urges EU institutional reforms and support for candidate countries.

Key points

  1. Reiterates that enlargement is a strategic response to geopolitical challenges and a win-win for current and future member states.
  2. Commends progress by Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova; urges the Council to reciprocate and remove obstacles, and calls for swift opening of negotiating clusters with Ukraine and Moldova.
  3. Notes increased support for EU membership in Iceland, Armenia, and Greenland, and encourages building closer links.
  4. Stresses that accession must be merit-based, with no fast track, and that rule of law, democracy, and fundamental rights remain at the forefront.
  5. Calls for gender equality, minority rights, and protection of children and LGBTIQ+ persons throughout the accession process.
  6. Urges full alignment with CFSP and CSDP as a precondition for accession, and warns against democratic backsliding in Serbia, Georgia, and Türkiye.
  7. Calls for the freezing or reversal of negotiations in case of backsliding, and for an evaluation of enlargement policy.
  8. Calls for EU institutional reforms, including qualified majority voting in intermediate steps, and for pre-enlargement policy reviews.
  9. Supports gradual integration into EU policies, including visa liberalisation, with reversibility in case of backsliding.
  10. Calls for adequate pre-accession funding under the next MFF, with clear allocations and conditionality, and for cooperation with the EPPO.
  11. Calls for stronger EU engagement to counter China's influence and for extending roaming and SEPA to all enlargement countries.
  12. Calls for strategic communication, support for civil society and independent media, and measures to counter disinformation and FIMI.

Who is affected

  • Candidate and potential candidate countries, including Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Türkiye.
  • EU institutions, particularly the Council, Commission, and EEAS, are called on to act.
  • Civil society organisations and independent media in enlargement countries.

Figures and deadlines

  • 56 per cent of EU citizens support further enlargement.
  • Trade with Western Balkans increased by 62 per cent; Moldova and Ukraine trade increased by 65.4 per cent and 64.7 per cent respectively.
  • Global Europe instrument proposed budget includes EUR 43.1 billion for enlargement, 21 per cent of its total.

Legal basis: Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union