The next informal summit of heads of state and government will take place in Grenada at the start of October. This gathering will run in parallel with the third summit of the European Political Community and will spotlight a new phase of European enlargement. A month after Spain completed its two-year presidency, European Council President Charles Michel set a target for the union to be ready for expansion by 2030. He stressed the need for credible discussion about timelines and tasks, and he offered a clear provisional plan as the EU shapes its next strategic agenda. Speaking at the strategic forum in Bled, Slovenia, Michel urged preparation for an expansion that could unfold by 2030, signalling the bloc must act now and embrace a bold approach.
The Belgian liberal leader urged member states to seize the opening in the window of opportunity, noting that leaders will address the issue at two October meetings in Granada and Brussels. He indicated that negotiations could begin with Ukraine and Moldova, and he expressed hope that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia would also sit at the table again. Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Türkiye were named as candidates progressing toward EU membership, with all of them actively pursuing accession. This direction mirrors the sustained European perspective outlined during the Thessaloniki summit two decades earlier when Western Balkan progress was described as slow and frequently disappointing. Michel, echoing the sentiments of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, insisted that Europe must keep its promises, strengthen ties, and become stronger and more secure to meet future challenges that enlargement will entail.
merit-based process
Michel called on member states to discard lingering uncertainty and approach enlargement with openness and honesty. He cautioned that a merit-based approach will be essential for those with substantial work ahead to join the union. Respect for core values and the rule of law was highlighted as a central pillar. The union was founded on human rights, dignity, democracy, and solidarity, and the rule of law must allow fair living, work, creation, and trade across a broad spectrum of freedoms, while fully honoring diversity. Citizens and businesses must have faith that they will be treated fairly, regardless of where they live or conduct business. Minority rights should be safeguarded as a fundamental element of this framework, he emphasized, calling for an independent judiciary, robust anti-corruption measures, and a steadfast opposition to organized crime while strengthening the EU’s foreign policy. In Michel’s view, these principles are more important today than ever.
The President reminded candidate states to resolve past bilateral conflicts to avoid hindering cooperation. He warned against letting historic quarrels be used to block neighborly or future member-state participation, underscoring the need for confidence-building conditions in accession agreements that ensure newly admitted members do not obstruct the path of future ones. This emphasis on reconciliation and transparent processes is meant to prevent past disputes from becoming a barrier to expansion.
report in October
The October phase will bring the next set of debates as the European Commission presents a comprehensive enlargement report package. This moment will help measure progress in the integration process and clarify where each applicant stands. In the meantime, the initial official report on Ukraine, which gained candidate status in record time last year, is already sparking attention within European leadership circles. A late June breakfast attended by ten European heads of state and government highlighted concerns about how enlargement will affect EU cohesion, fund distribution, and decision-making.
The integration of new members will inevitably reshape policies, programs, and budgets. Political reforms and political courage will be required as the union grows, and the economic footprint of the bloc will extend across new territories. The total GDP share of future member states would be roughly in line with a significant portion of the EU’s smaller economies, implying a shift where some current net contributors could become net beneficiaries. This reality calls for careful planning on how to manage a complex transition so that European funds deliver real added value for all members, now and in the years ahead.
Enlargement will also affect the EU’s decision-making fabric, which has grown more intricate in recent times due to broader membership and the need for consensus on many policy areas. Michel stressed that more members will bring greater diversity, requiring adjustments to institutional structures and procedures to maintain timely and effective decision-making while preserving the core principle of unity. The union, he asserted, remains the cornerstone of Europe’s strength, and unity is the best path to ensuring consistent and equitable implementation of decisions across the bloc. It is a pragmatic reminder that cohesion is not a luxury but a practical necessity as the European project enlarges.