On 26 June 2025, the EUISS, in collaboration with the Jacques Delors Institute, Sciences Po CERI, and Euro Créative, organised a conference at Sciences Po Paris titled Enlargement in Focus.
Discussions were structured around three key themes:
- Geopoliticising enlargement: how to uphold a merit-based accession process while addressing geopolitical challenges;
- Building political consensus: how to build political consensus across EU member states, parliaments, and societies; and
- Experience-sharing: how to foster exchange of experience between the Western Balkans and Eastern candidates to improve cooperation and avoid past pitfalls.
The conference highlighted the strategic importance of enlargement for the EU and generated constructive dialogue on how to move the process forward in a complex geopolitical context. The event brought together around 60 participants, including policymakers, experts, and civil society representatives, to discuss the future of EU enlargement, with a particular focus on the Western Balkans and Eastern candidate countries. Sustained engagement on enlargement across EU Member States capitals is vital to keeping the process credible and inclusive.
Panelists: Natia Seskuria, Nicu Popescu, Thornike Gordadze, Anastasiya Shapockhina, Aleksandar Andrija Pejović, Odeta Barbullushi, Pierre Mirel, Hennadiy Maksak, Christian Lequesne, Dragan Tilev, Tomáš Petříček, and Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel.