After more than a decade of dormancy, EU enlargement has re-emerged as both a political priority and a strategic geopolitical investment for the EU. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, intensifying competition in the EU’s neighbourhood, and renewed momentum in the Western Balkans have contributed to bringing enlargement back to the top of the EU’s agenda.
As enlargement shifts from aspiration to a more tangible policy trajectory, a central challenge lies in bridging the gap between political ambition and the EU’s practical preparedness. How ready are Member States for the next wave of enlargement, and how do national perspectives shape this process?
Drawing on findings from the 2025 Special Eurobarometer survey on Member States’ attitudes towards enlargement, the event will bring together Ambassadors and senior representatives from several EU countries to discuss the opportunities, challenges and political considerations shaping the next phase of EU enlargement.
This event is organised within the framework of the project ‘Enlargement without illusions: choices, cost and consequences for Europe’s horizon,’ supported by the European Commission’s DG ENEST.
