Renew Europe: Failing to expand would cost the EU far more than admitting candidates

The 'Renew Europe' political group within the European Parliament is strongly advocating for EU enlargement, asserting that the future of the European Union is intrinsically linked to the successful integration of candidate and potential candidate countries, particularly from the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe. The group argues that the long-term consequences of failing to expand will be far more costly than the financial and political complexities associated with admitting new members.

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The long-term price of non-enlargement far exceeds the financial and political complexities of admitting new members.

According to a statement from the group, the "long-term price of non-enlargement far exceeds the financial and political complexities of admitting new members." They warn that a failure to enlarge risks creating a vulnerable geopolitical "grey zone" susceptible to opposing political influences. 'Renew Europe' emphasizes that enlargement remains one of the EU's most effective foreign policy tools, capable of bolstering stability, security, democratic transformation, respect for fundamental rights, the rule of law, and economic convergence with the Union.

The group, which comprises liberal and centrist parties including French President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party, believes that enlargement contributes to a stronger, more influential, and prosperous EU. This strengthened EU would be better positioned to act in its own interests and defend its values in an increasingly multipolar international order. They stress that enlargement must benefit both the EU and the candidate countries, with the internal stability of the EU as a top priority.

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Enlargement remains one of the EU's most effective foreign policy tools, capable of bolstering stability, security, democratic transformation, respect for fundamental rights, the rule of law, and economic convergence with the Union.

'Renew Europe' views the current enlargement agenda as a reflection of a profoundly altered geopolitical landscape marked by rising security threats. The statement specifically cites Russia's aggression in Ukraine, hybrid warfare, complex relations with the United States, instability in the Middle East, and China's expansionist policies as factors shaping a world dominated by great power rivalry and resurgent nationalism. These dynamics, they contend, not only define the European security landscape but also underscore the strategic urgency of continuing EU enlargement while simultaneously reinforcing the EU's internal cohesion and adaptive capacity.

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These factors not only shape the European security landscape but also underscore the strategic urgency of continuing EU enlargement while simultaneously reinforcing the EU's internal cohesion and adaptive capacity.