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The European Council President Advocates for EU Expansion by 2030

Photo: Dario Pignatell

In a bold statement that has stirred discussion across the continent; the President of the European Council has expressed a desire for the European Union (EU) to welcome new member states by the year 2030. This ambition underscores the continued drive for European integration, despite the myriad challenges that have marked the EU’s recent history.  The European Council President’s proposition comes at a time when the EU is grappling with complex issues such as managing the post-COVID-19 recovery, climate change, migration, and economic disparities among its member countries. However, the President’s vision reflects the fundamental principles upon which the EU was established: unity, solidarity, and the promotion of peace and stability across Europe. The EU has stringent criteria for admitting new members, which include stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and respect for and protection of minorities; a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competition and market forces in the EU; and the ability to take on the obligations of membership, including adherence to the aims of political, economic, and monetary union. As of the President’s announcement, several Western Balkan countries, including Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, have been in negotiations or are candidates for EU membership. Kosovo, also in the Western Balkans, is considered a potential candidate. These nations have been working diligently towards meeting the requirements for EU membership, although progress has been uneven.

The proposed expansion of the EU by 2030 presents both challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, the integration of new members could help secure peace and stability in the Western Balkans, a region historically marked by conflict. Economic development could be bolstered as new members gain access to the EU’s single market, and the EU’s influence and soft power could be extended. On the other hand, the EU must ensure that any expansion does not exacerbate existing internal issues. The integration of new members will require significant financial resources and administrative capacity, and the EU will need to ensure that new members fully comply with its acquis – the body of common rights and obligations that is binding on all EU countries. Public opinion on EU expansion varies considerably across member states, reflecting diverse historical experiences, perceptions of national interest, and attitudes towards the EU itself. While some citizens and politicians view expansion as a means of spreading prosperity and stability, others worry about potential economic burdens, migration, and the dilution of the EU’s political cohesion. The process of EU enlargement is also subject to political hurdles. Each current member state has a veto over the accession of new members, meaning that unanimous approval is required. Given the complex geopolitics of the region, it remains to be seen whether all member states will support the President’s vision. The European Council President’s aspiration for EU expansion by 2030 is a bold vision that embodies the principle of an ever-closer union. However, the road to achieving this goal is fraught with economic, political, and administrative challenges. As such, the EU will need to approach this task with care, balancing the potential benefits of expansion with the need to maintain the stability and cohesion of the existing union As we approach the end of the decade, the prospect of an enlarged EU brings with it the promise of a more integrated and prosperous European Union.

By Roxana Stanica

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