Launching a new Loop series on EU enlargement dilemmas, Veronica Anghel argues that enlargement is no gamble, but a strategic necessity. In crisis, enlargement transforms external risks into shared responsibilities, reinforcing governance, security, and global influence — and ensuring the Union’s survival and relevance
In times of upheaval, the notion of European Union enlargement often encounters significant scepticism. Critics argue that expanding an already complex and diverse Union during global and regional instability is an unnecessary gamble. Their reasoning suggests that the EU, already contending with a range of challenges from economic pressures to geopolitical tensions, should focus on internal consolidation rather than face the uncertainties and risks that come with integrating new member states.
Historically, the case for enlargement has rested on four pillars: stability, prosperity, identity, and security. While these arguments are compelling in theory, their practical application has been uneven. For instance, stability was a central justification for the accession of Central and Eastern European countries, yet significant political and economic disparities have persisted among member states. Similarly, while prosperity has been achieved in certain regions, others have faced stagnation. The narrative of a shared European identity has also been tested by the rise of authoritarian and nationalist movements, further complicating the EU’s unity.
There are institutional alternatives to enlargement, such as external differentiated integration, and targeted agreements like the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). These offer mechanisms to achieve stability, security, and economic collaboration without the complexities of full membership. NATO, for example, provides a robust framework for defence and security, sidestepping the need to bring vulnerable states into the EU fold.
However, this cautious approach underestimates the strategic importance of enlargement in addressing the EU’s most pressing challenges. Enlargement is not simply an optional policy tool; it is a cornerstone of the Union’s capacity to adapt, survive, and thrive. Far from being an additional burden, enlargement has historically been one of the EU’s most effective responses to crises. Indeed, enlargement has enabled the EU to strengthen collective governance, mitigate risks, and enhance its global influence.
Enlargement is not an optional policy tool; it is a cornerstone of the Union’s capacity to adapt and thrive
The inclusion of highly interconnected states — those already economically, socially, and politically intertwined with the Union — transforms external risks into shared responsibilities. Ukraine and Moldova, for example, are not peripheral actors but central to the EU’s broader strategic interests. By formalising their alignment with European norms and regulations through membership, the EU ensures their contribution to its stability and security. This strategic integration consolidates the EU’s role as a cohesive and influential actor on the global stage.
The EU, by design, is a complex entity characterised by its diverse membership, shifting policies in times of crisis, extensive regulatory frameworks, and overlapping jurisdictions. This makes it particularly susceptible to collective action problems, in which the self-interest of individual actors can hinder the Union’s broader goals. Enlargement offers a mechanism to address these challenges. It enables the EU to internalise externalities and exert greater control over its resources and policies.
For example, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has exposed vulnerabilities within the EU, particularly the inconsistent responses of member states like Germany and Hungary. These actions, driven by national interests, have at times undermined collective security. By integrating countries directly affected by these threats, the EU can foster a more cohesive, unified approach to defence and deterrence.
By integrating countries directly affected by Russian aggression, the EU can foster a more cohesive, unified approach to defence
Enlargement, in this sense, is not merely about adding new members. Rather, it is about recalibrating the Union to function more effectively as a collective entity. This logic extends beyond security to other critical areas, such as climate action, human rights, and economic resilience.
Enlargement is not a benevolent gesture extended to candidate countries; it is a strategic redistribution of responsibilities and resources. By integrating new members, the EU addresses governance challenges, reduces free-riding, and incorporates key actors into its decision-making processes. This approach stabilises the Union internally, and enhances its capacity to project power and influence externally. Acting as a cohesive bloc amplifies the EU’s influence on the global stage, in transatlantic partnerships, the UN, and in other multilateral forums.
We stand at a moment of profound crisis. At such a moment, enlargement emerges not as a reluctant choice but an essential strategy for securing the EU’s future. It is a mechanism for managing risks, reinforcing resilience, and asserting the Union’s relevance on the global stage.
EU enlargement is a mechanism for managing risks, reinforcing resilience, and asserting the Union’s relevance on the global stage
Beyond mitigating risks, enlargement carries the potential to reinvigorate the European project. New members bring fresh perspectives, resources, and ideas that can drive innovation and reform within the Union. This dynamism is particularly crucial as the EU seeks to navigate challenges ranging from digital transformation to the green transition. Enlargement thus provides an opportunity to renew the Union’s commitment to its founding principles of unity, solidarity, and shared prosperity.
Furthermore, the symbolic value of enlargement cannot be overstated. Welcoming countries like Ukraine and Moldova into the EU underscores the Union’s role as a beacon of democracy and human rights. It sends a powerful message of solidarity and support to nations striving to align with European values. And it reinforces the EU’s position as a global leader in promoting peace and stability.
Of course, enlargement is not without its challenges. Integrating new members requires significant investments in capacity building, institutional reform, and economic development. It also necessitates a rethinking of governance structures to accommodate a larger and more diverse membership. However, these challenges are not insurmountable. The EU has a proven track record of adapting to change and finding innovative solutions to complex problems.
The costs of EU inaction are far greater. Failing to embrace enlargement risks ceding influence to external powers, undermining the EU’s strategic autonomy, and perpetuating instability at its borders. In contrast, a proactive approach to enlargement strengthens the EU’s position as a resilient and forward-looking actor in an increasingly competitive global landscape. Far from being a gamble, enlargement is a testament to the EU’s enduring vision and ambition.
First in a new series on EU enlargement dilemmas. Look out for the 🧠to read more
