EU enlargement and integration: Voices of support and scepticism

EU ENLARGEMENT AND INTEGRATION Voices of support and scepticism by Bojana Zorić Research Analyst, EUISS Enlargement must adapt to evolving geopolitical realities. Security is no longer a background concern for EU citizens. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, 66% of Europeans want the EU to play a stronger role in shielding them from global crises and security risks. Defence and security now rank as the leading areas where citizens expect the EU to assert global influence (36%), with economic competitiveness close behind (32%) (1). This shifting sentiment signals a recalibration of public priorities. For EU candidate countries in the Western Balkans, this presents an opportunity to position themselves not merely as beneficiaries of stabilisation efforts, but as active contributors to a more resilient Europe. Recent visits by HR/VP Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Marta Kos to the Western Balkans, undertaken on separate occasions over the past few months, underscore the EU leadership’s resolve to keep the process afloat. But words alone no longer suffice. This Brief argues that if the EU is serious about enlargement, it must recalibrate its strategy – not only in candidate countries, but also within its own Member States. Public scepticism remains a major obstacle, one that is too often overlooked in favour of a technocratic focus on meeting accession criteria. What is needed now is clarity: a merit-based process that is grounded in democratic values and meets the...