11 December, 2024
Quick Impressions from Brussels: What ensures the success of EU enlargement? by Klara Lindström
"Quick Impressions" is a format through which SCEEUS shares impressions from far and near: travel, events, and exchanges. Last week, Klara Lindström went to Brussels for the TEPSA Academy.
I spent last week in Brussels, where I participated in an Academy on EU enlargement organised by the Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA). We met with leading experts and EU practitioners to discuss the concrete measures needed to make enlargement successful.
Photo: TEPSA
There were 18 participants from 17 different countries at the Academy, representing both EU member states and candidate countries in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe. The format allowed for key exchanges at a crucial time in geopolitics: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has given urgency not only to Ukraine and Moldova’s EU accession processes, but to the enlargement agenda as a whole. Here are some of my take-ways:
Strategic communication is a must
In discussions with representatives from different countries, it becomes clear that EU enlargement is perceived differently across Europe. In some states, enlargement is seen as crucial to ensure Europe’s security, while in others, the prospect of an enlarged Union gives rise to fears about economic costs and unwelcome competition, not least in the agricultural sector. There is thus a need for enhancing the strategic communication about the potential benefits of enlargement across EU member states. Such communication would also prevent disinformation, myths, and fears from hindering the enlargement process. For example, with regards to agriculture, Ukraine’s EU accession could strengthen the EU’s agricultural production and export, as well as enhancing European economic competitiveness and negotiation strength.
Security dimensions need new approaches
This enlargement round takes place at a time when the principles of multilateralism and a rules-based international order are under threat, and it is the first time that the EU conducts accession negotiations with a country that is defending itself in a hot war. Unlike previous eastward EU enlargements, this one has not been preceded by NATO membership in the candidate countries. For the EU’s enlargement agenda to remain credible, it must therefore be backed up by security guarantees to Ukraine.
In Brussels, discussions on how the EU can ensure Ukraine’s – and therefore Europe’s – security are high on the agenda. The EU has already taken steps that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago, for example, in financing the provision of military equipment to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility, launching the Ukraine Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM), and taking initiatives to strengthen Europe’s defence industry. More is needed, which calls for European resoluteness, leadership, and investments.
Looking ahead – are we up to the challenges?
The EU enlargement process will continue to move ahead as the new Commission is finally in place and Poland takes over the EU Council Presidency next year. In January 2025, the Commission will deliver its report on the results of the fundamentals’ screening with Ukraine, which has involved a detailed examination of how well the country is prepared for EU accession in the areas of, inter alia, rule of law, democracy, and human rights. The next step in the process is to open negotiations with Ukraine on the fundamentals. These are discussions that focus on aligning the country’s laws and practices with EU standards. In Brussels, it is often repeated that the fundamentals’ cluster for Ukraine is to be opened as soon as possible under the Polish Presidency – but unanimity between the member states is required for that to happen.
Speaking of unanimity requirements, within 100 days of taking office, Martha Kos, the new Enlargement Commissioner, will publish a report on the internal reforms necessary to make the EU ready for enlargement. While this is an opportunity for the EU to become more competitive and efficient (for example, by moving over to more decision-making by qualified majority), it is important that the EU does not get stuck in an endless reform process – that would risk losing sight of the geopolitical urgency in making this EU enlargement a success. The participants' engagement and commitment at the Academy were a clear testament to the high stakes involved in the discussions on EU enlargement.