Dr Magdalena Frennhoff Larsén, Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations, has written an article for UK in a Changing Europe on the momentum for EU enlargement.
Dr Frennhoff Larsén traces the shift from EU enlargement fatigue to a push to accelerate enlargement. This comes in the face of a changing geopolitical situation with the war in Ukraine.
Dr Frennhoff Larsén writes: “While economic, political, and moral arguments dominated previously, enlargement is now increasingly framed as a geopolitical necessity. The cost of non-enlargement is becoming increasingly clear, with other geopolitical powers, most notably Russia and China, exerting increasing influence in the region. This geopolitical logic has led to a common purpose and new commitment among the EU institutions.”
Members states like France, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands, which were previously enlargement-sceptic, are becoming increasingly supportive of the accession process. Dr Frennhoff Larsén contrasts this with the previous stagnation of enlargement due to frequent vetoes of member states. The conflict in Ukraine has provided an impetus to pursue EU enlargement as a geopolitical investment.
Dr Frennhoff Larsén notes: “The war in Ukraine has provided a real test for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s ‘geo-political Commission’. By making enlargement part of the EU’s response to the war, the Commission has expanded its role in international security affairs.”
She concludes that while it will take time before the EU welcomes a new member, its renewed pursual of enlargement is gaining momentum.
Read her article Will 2024 bring a new momentum for EU enlargement? on the UK in a Changing Europe’s website.
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