The enlargement and reform debate has started, and some progress should be possible before the European elections in June 2024, says Anna Lührmann, minister for Europe in the German Foreign Office.
Ireland is regarded as having benefited enormously from its 50 years as an EU member state. While Dublin is overwhelmingly supportive of enlargement, there could still be tensions ahead over issues related to the budget and changes to the EU institutions.
Greece has historically perceived the EU enlargement policy as an enabling framework for the advancement of its national preferences. This is likely to remain the case today.
The current security situation in Europe has brought enlargement back on the agenda. This should also provide the catalyst for EU reform.
Before the question of how to enlarge the European Union comes the question: What kind of EU are we enlarging?
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale war, Poland has been one of the strongest advocates of integrating Ukraine into the EU. But is it ready to accept the various consequences of such a move?
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock have put the search for overlapping interests with Asian, African, and Latin American countries at the center of their foreign policy approaches. It’s a work in progress.
It’s a fact that countries of the Global South, while not supportive of Russia’s war against Ukraine, also blame NATO and the West for its global impact. Europe needs to change its approach.
Caught in a Western, Eurocentric world view, the European Union has not yet woken up to the fact that it needs to fundamentally change its approach to developing countries.
Nobody really likes the term, but everyone uses it. What is it useful for? Attempts at order in a complicated world.
China and, to a far lesser degree, Russia, have expanded their economic and military engagement with countries in Africa and Latin America. If Europe wants to counter this, it needs to look closely at what has worked.
As the rivalry grows between the US and China, Beijing is regarding Europe as an increasingly important player. While it has recently ramped up its charm offensive, irritants in the relationship remain.
