London, UK – October 4, 2025
The European Union is dramatically elevating its enlargement push, declaring the prospect of a larger Union not merely a policy goal, but a central political, societal, and generational project for the continent. This ambitious reframing was announced by the European Commission yesterday with the scheduling of the inaugural EU Enlargement Forum, set for November 18, 2025, in Brussels.
The announcement marks a new intensity in the European Union’s approach to its candidate countries—which include Ukraine, Moldova, and nations in the Western Balkans—at a time when the geopolitical landscape is being irrevocably shaped by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Geopolitical Urgency Drives New Momentum
The Forum, which will be the European Commission’s new flagship initiative on the issue, is being hosted by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, a Slovenian diplomat and former ambassador who took office in the Von der Leyen II Commission in December 2024. The event’s central slogan, “Completing the Union, Securing Our Future,” directly addresses the heightened security and strategic concerns facing Europe.
The core message is clear: the Union is stronger and more secure when it “stands together.” Russia’s actions have underscored the imperative of anchoring democratic reform and stability in the EU’s immediate neighbourhood, particularly in the Western Balkans and Eastern partner countries. Enlargement is now positioned as a geopolitical imperative essential for safeguarding peace, democracy, and prosperity across the continent.
Headline Points
* Inaugural Event: The EU Enlargement Forum is scheduled for November 18, 2025, in Brussels, marking the European Commission’s most significant initiative on the issue in years.
* Geopolitical Driver: The renewed urgency for expansion is directly attributed to Russia’s war in Ukraine and rising competition that seeks to exploit vulnerabilities in the EU’s neighbourhood.
* New Commissioner: The event is hosted by Marta Kos, the new Commissioner for Enlargement, whose core focus is on driving the merits-based path of candidates like Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans.
* Wider Conversation: The Forum aims to shift the dialogue beyond technical compliance, engaging a broad array of participants—from artists and entrepreneurs to youth voices and civil society—to make enlargement a genuinely societal project.
A Project for the People, Not Just Governments
The European Commission’s 2024–2029 strategic vision emphasizes that the prospect of a larger Union is “within reach for the first time in a generation.” Commissioner Kos has been tasked with moving this vision from ambition to delivery through a credible, merit-based, and inclusive approach.
The new Forum is designed to be interactive, inclusive, and forward-looking, reflecting a concerted effort to bring enlargement closer to the European populace. It moves away from the historically technical and bureaucratic narrative, seeking to embed the expansion process as a shared responsibility across society.
The participants invited to the Brussels event will reflect this inclusive approach, gathering a broad mix of high-level EU, national, and regional political leaders, alongside civil society representatives, entrepreneurs, artists, youth voices, and policy experts from both EU Member States and enlargement countries.
Kos’s Mandate: Stability and Strategic Interests
As Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos’s role is to spearhead the structural reforms required of candidate countries, ensuring their full respect for the rule of law and fundamental values. Her portfolio also includes leading the Commission’s continued support for Ukraine’s reconstruction and accession efforts.
The Commission stresses that enlargement is central to advancing the EU’s core strategic interests, which include:
* Strengthening Energy Security: Integrating new members helps diversify energy sources and routes across the continent.
* Supporting Economic Growth and Competitiveness: Expanding the Single Market and fostering economic reform in new regions enhances the overall competitiveness of the bloc.
* Anchoring Reforms in Governance and the Rule of Law: The accession process acts as a powerful lever to ensure strong democratic institutions and fight corruption in candidate states.
The November Forum will be the crucial launching pad for this new era of EU enlargement, aiming to transform a long-stagnant process into a vital engine of European stability and a defining mission for the current political generation.
