Introductory note

enlargement and the future of the European Union

Resumo

Throughout the history of European integration, enlargement has played a fundamental role in achieving the founding goals of the European Union (EU) – promoting peace, stability and prosperity – through deeper political and economic integration. However, while the inclusion of new Member States has been seen as a privileged platform for consolidating democracy and implementing structural reforms within the EU, it has also raised complex issues. These include the accession criteria, the capacity to integrate new members and the response to new European policy needs, which call into question the internal cohesion of the Union. This difficult balance between widening and integration is exacerbated by the current geopolitical context, marked by the war in Ukraine, growing tension in the Middle East, migration crises and multiple challenges to democracy. The debate on revitalising the European enlargement process, with the opening of negotiations with Ukraine, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the recognition of Georgia’s candidate status in 2024, as well as its impact on the future of the EU, is therefore not limited to the accession of new candidates. Rather, it requires a comprehensive reflection on the EU’s ability to adapt to the intertwined changes taking place at the local, regional and international levels, strengthening its internal and external policies, promoting effective strategic autonomy and reinforcing its partnerships at different levels of international relations.