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DRAFT REPORT (2025/2110(INI))

On the EU enlargement strategy

AFET-PR-778144

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Petras Auštrevičius

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This draft report on the EU enlargement strategy reiterates that enlargement is a merit-based process and a strategic priority, calling for reforms within the EU and support for candidate countries. It stresses the importance of rule of law, fundamental rights, and alignment with EU foreign policy, and proposes measures such as qualified majority voting and gradual integration.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes a resolution that reaffirms the strategic importance of enlargement, calls for merit-based progress and EU internal reforms, and supports candidate countries' path to membership.

Key points

  1. Reiterates that enlargement is of utmost strategic importance and a win-win for current and future member states, with the future of Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova in the EU.
  2. Underlines that accession must be merit-based, assessed on Copenhagen criteria and EU acquis, with rule of law, democratic reform, media freedom, and fundamental rights as preconditions.
  3. Urges candidate countries to align fully with the EU's common foreign and security policy, including restrictive measures, as a prerequisite for accession.
  4. Emphasizes that regional cooperation and reconciliation are prerequisites, and bilateral issues should not block accession.
  5. Calls for freezing negotiations in case of backsliding on fundamental values, and for the Commission to establish a monitoring group for such cases.
  6. Calls for EU institutional reforms, including qualified majority voting in intermediate steps of enlargement, to avoid delays.
  7. Supports gradual integration into EU policies for candidate countries making progress, but stresses it cannot replace full membership.
  8. Suggests early involvement of candidate countries in EU institutions, including observer status in Parliament.
  9. Calls for clear and predictable timelines for accession of the most advanced candidate countries.
  10. Stresses that pre-accession financial assistance must maintain conditionality, including on rule of law.
  11. Calls for strengthening communication on benefits of EU membership, involving young people, and countering disinformation, including expanding the European Democracy Shield.

Who is affected

  • Candidate and potential candidate countries, including Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, and others, are urged to implement reforms and align with EU policies.
  • EU institutions and member states are called on to undertake reforms and support candidate countries through capacity-building and dialogue.

Legal basis: Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union