Towards a New EU Enlargement?

The war in Ukraine has sparked a paradigm shift in the EU enlargement debate. Now, the dialogue centers on a transformative expansion towards the east and southeast, envisioning the inclusion of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and the Balkan nations. This vision could potentially lead to a union of 36 member states, marking a momentous shift in geopolitics. December 2023, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine. Meanwhile, in August ’23 Charles Michele, President of the European Council, asserted that the EU must prepare itself for the admission of new members by 2030. Is it practical to welcome a nation embroiled in warfare before 2030? Is the EU sufficiently equipped for such a significant undertaking? And for the Balkan countries aspiring to join, could their long-awaited moment finally be arriving? Talken er finansieret med tilskud fra Europa-Nævnet. Ansvaret for indholdet er alene tilskudsmodtagers.