The European Union is facing calls to revamp its enlargement strategy, with leaders advocating for a more efficient and trustworthy process to admit new members. During a summit held in Montenegro with six Western Balkan nations, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the EU’s need to demonstrate both the willingness and capability to expand. Highlighting that no new member has joined the bloc in over ten years, Merz stressed the necessity for reforms in the accession procedures to better integrate these countries into the EU’s framework.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen supported these sentiments, calling for membership negotiations to be more effective and credible for aspiring nations. The summit included representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia — all countries that aspire to join the EU. Of these, Montenegro is seen as the leading candidate, aiming for membership by 2028.
French President Emmanuel Macron added that expanding the EU is crucial for strategic reasons, citing Europe’s security, energy independence, and migration management as key factors. Macron also endorsed a “gradual integration” approach, which would allow candidate countries to engage with certain EU institutions and initiatives prior to full membership. This approach is gaining traction, especially in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has heightened the urgency for EU enlargement.
The push for expansion has also extended to include Ukraine and Moldova, both seeking EU membership. Brussels views this enlargement as a strategy to bolster regional stability and curtail external influences. Despite the mounting political support, the accession process remains complex, requiring comprehensive reforms from candidate countries and unanimous consent from all 27 EU member states at each stage.
