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In 2024, the EU celebrates the 20th anniversary of its largest enlargement, when ten countries joined the Union. 20 years later, ten more countries aspire to become EU member states. However, their path to accession is much more troubled.
Despite the boost given to the process by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, their prospects of becoming members in the short to medium term are still precarious. It is time to go beyond empty commitments and offer the candidate states a concrete plan.
Two decades after that memorable 1 May 2004, we must reflect on what lessons and inspiration for the future can be drawn from that experience. Today’s EU is aware that the long-awaited new enlargement has to be a different process and that the deepening and widening of the EU need to go hand in hand.
