London, UK – October 4, 2025

The European Union (EU) has decisively brought the policy of enlargement to the forefront of its political agenda, driven by geopolitical necessity and a renewed focus on regional stability and security. Following the momentum gained in granting candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, 2025 has been designated a critical year for both Brussels and aspiring members, with the European Commission slated to unveil crucial internal reform proposals by Autumn 2025 to prepare the bloc for a potential wave of accessions. This concerted effort signals the end of a period of stagnation, marking a determined push to solidify the European project against a challenging global backdrop.

Headline Points

 * Internal Reforms Prioritised: The European Commission is set to present a proposal on EU enlargement reforms on October 29, 2025, aimed at ensuring the Union can function effectively with an expanded membership.

 * Geopolitical Driving Force: Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and the need for a stronger European Defence Union have elevated enlargement from a technical process to a geopolitical imperative for security and stability.

 * Focus on Fundamentals: The accession process remains strictly “merit-based,” with a primary focus on the Rule of Law, democratic values, human rights, and the fight against corruption in candidate countries.

 * Candidate Progress Expected: The Commission expects to see key progress in 2025, including the potential opening of “one or two clusters” of negotiation chapters with Ukraine and Moldova, and continued advancements for Western Balkan nations like Montenegro and Albania.

 * Gradual Integration: New mechanisms, such as the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the €50 billion Ukraine Facility, are offering gradual integration and interim benefits to candidates even before full membership.

Readying the Union for New Members

The strategic shift has placed equal importance on the EU’s own capacity to integrate new members. Highlighting the conviction that an enlarged Union without prior internal overhaul “would risk paralysis,” the European Commission is working on a proposal for EU enlargement reforms, set to be discussed and presented by the College of Commissioners on October 29, 2025.

While the exact details are pending confirmation, the reforms are expected to address how the EU’s institutions, policies, and finances will function with up to 35 members. The changes are considered indispensable for preventing decision-making gridlock, particularly in areas where a unanimity rule currently applies. This internal preparation, building on policy reviews from 2024, is key to the EU’s commitment to effective governance in an expanded bloc.

The Geopolitical Imperative

The revitalised enlargement policy is fundamentally tied to the Union’s security and defence agenda. Geopolitical pressures have pushed the EU to use the accession process as a tool to foster peace and stability in its neighbourhood, securing the region against external interference and hybrid threats.

For countries like Ukraine and Moldova, whose candidacies were accelerated following the invasion, progress is seen as a direct contribution to European security. Commissioner Marta Kos has expressed confidence that both countries could open key negotiation clusters and chapters during 2025, provided they continue to demonstrate progress in justice reform, combating corruption, and de-oligarchisation.

The current list of officially recognised candidate countries—including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine, along with potential candidate Kosovo—is a testament to the comprehensive scope of the renewed agenda, spanning the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, and Türkiye.

The Merit-Based Path Forward

Despite the political urgency, EU officials repeatedly stress that the accession process remains strictly merit-based, firmly anchored in the foundational Copenhagen Criteria. Candidate nations must demonstrate solid, sustainable, and irreversible reforms in fundamental areas, including:

 * Rule of Law: Establishing stability of institutions that guarantee democracy and the rule of law.

 * Fundamental Rights: Respect for and protection of human rights, including those of minorities.

 * Economic Governance: Establishing a functioning market economy capable of coping with competitive pressure within the EU.

The Commission’s annual Enlargement Package, which includes country-specific reports, provides a detailed assessment of each candidate’s progress and remaining gaps. The reports for 2025 will be crucial in determining which nations are ready to move forward. Frontrunners like Montenegro and Albania have set ambitious internal targets, aiming to conclude their negotiation processes by the end of 2026 and 2027, respectively.

The Union is also deploying “gradual integration” as a parallel track, offering candidates early access to some benefits of the EU Single Market and targeted financial support to sustain the reform momentum ahead of full accession. This dual approach underscores a new level of commitment from Brussels to both enlarge the Union and ensure its longevity.