During the event, participants examined enlargement as both a strategic tool and a defining objective of the European project. Enlargement was framed not merely as expansion, but as a means of preserving Europe’s values, stability and geopolitical influence in a changing security environment. The debate addressed whether being pro-EU necessarily implies support for further enlargement, and whether enlargement should precede institutional reform, as historically has often been the case. Various flexible integration models were considered, including gradual integration, partial participation in EU institutions, probationary periods, or membership without full rights, particularly in light of discussions on a possible accelerated accession of Ukraine. These options, while offering adaptability, raise concerns about second-tier membership and prolonged limbo between insider and outsider status, pointing toward a more variable-geometry approach to Europe’s future.

(Photo credit: Canva teams)