EU Enlargement: Balkans, Ukraine – Who Shall Be Next and Why?

The Center for European Studies, in partnership with Modul University Vienna, convened leading policymakers, academics, and experts to explore the evolving prospects of European Union enlargement. Centering on the Western Balkans and Ukraine, the event examined how political will, strategic vision, and social cohesion will determine whether the EU can sustain its role as a credible geopolitical actor. Through a series of candid discussions and debates, participants assessed the state of enlargement fatigue, the political and institutional barriers within the EU, and the shifting geopolitical realities brought about by the war in Ukraine. The event ultimately posed a central question: can the EU adapt and expand in a world defined by a new political order?

The EU should make a multi-speed framework available to candidate countries

The EU should adopt a multi-speed framework, allowing countries to utilize opt-outs and integrate at their own pace based on their political situations, while adhering to the principle of subsidiarity.