EU enlargement strategy
Parliament sets out its own position on a topic. The resolution is not binding but signals what Parliament wants.
Where it stands: Parliament adopted the text on 11 March 2026. This is its final position on the matter.
- ✓ Referred to committee 19 June 2025
- ✓ Committee work Report adopted 28 January 2026
- ✓ Tabled for plenary 5 February 2026
- ✓ Plenary vote Adopted 11 March 2026
- ✓ Parliament’s position Final
How a file moves through Parliament
A file is referred to one lead committee (others may give an opinion). Its rapporteur writes a draft report, committee members table amendments, and the committee votes to adopt the report. The report is then tabled for all MEPs; political groups can table further amendments, which are voted on before the final vote in plenary. The adopted resolution is Parliament’s final position; it is not itself law.
Who is working on it
- Lead committee
- AFET — Foreign Affairs
- Rapporteur
- Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS Renew
- Shadow rapporteurs
- Andrey KOVATCHEV PPETonino PICULA S&DRoberto VANNACCI PfEMieke ANDRIESE PfEŞerban Dimitrie STURDZA ECRThomas WAITZ Verts/ALEMerja KYLLÖNEN The LeftStanislav STOYANOV ESN
The rapporteur drafts and negotiates the text for the lead committee; each other political group names a shadow rapporteur to follow the file.
The text, version by version
Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament: The only substantive change is the removal of a paragraph on institutional reforms, including QMV and MFF adjustments. Other changes are formal: percentage signs, decimal separators, a label period, and paragraph renumbering. see the changes →
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary: The report expands significantly, adding new recitals and paragraphs on public support, trade benefits, and threats from Russia and China. It strengthens language on geopolitical urgency, the cost of non-enlargement, and the need for EU credibility and strategic autonomy. It adds detailed provisions on rule of law, gender equality, civil society, and gradual integration, including visa liberalisation and institutional reforms. It introduces new sections on financial assistance, connectivity, and disinformation, with specific calls for action. The other changes are formal or wording updates, including renumbering and minor rephrasing. see the changes →
Newest version first. Open a version to read it in full. “What changed” shows the differences paragraph by paragraph; ✦ lines are AI-written from the texts themselves.
Timeline
- Plenary stage
- 11 March 2026 Plenary voteAdopted Adopted by a clear majorityFor 385 Against 147 Abstained 98
Final vote — text as a whole at 13:07 · 61% of votes cast in favour · every MEP’s position →
Show all 4 ballots in voting order
1. Amendment 1 13:06 A10-0016/2026 – Petras Auštrevičius – Alternative motion for a resolution – Am 1RejectedAdoptedRejected4. Final vote — text as a whole 13:07 A10-0016/2026 – Petras Auštrevičius – Motion for a resolution (as a whole)Adopted - 10 March 2026 Debated in plenary
MEPs debated the text in the chamber ahead of the vote.
- 4 March 2026 1 amendment tabled for the plenary vote
Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.
- 5 February 2026 Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
- Committee stage
- 28 January 2026 Committee vote: report adopted
AFET (Foreign Affairs) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
- 4 December 2025 Amendments tabled in committee
Members of AFET (Foreign Affairs) proposed changes to the draft.
- 11 November 2025 Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in AFET (Foreign Affairs). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
- 19 June 2025 Referred to the AFET (Foreign Affairs) committee
The lead committee prepares Parliament’s report.