Dublin – ESI at Irish Department of Foreign Affairs seminar on EU enlargement

Adnan spoke at a seminar in Dublin. Photo: ESI

Adnan Ćerimagić, ESI senior analyst, spoke at a policy seminar hosted by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin on 3 June 2026.

The seminar, organised as part of the Department’s Global Policy Seminar Series, brought together Irish officials to discuss the future of EU enlargement in the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova and its implications for Europe’s security, prosperity, and geopolitical influence. The discussion took place less than a month before Ireland assumes the presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2026, a period during which enlargement policy is expected to remain on the European agenda.

Drawing on ESI’s research on enlargement and democratic reforms, Adnan discussed the current state of the accession process in the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova, the lessons from previous rounds of enlargement, and the importance of maintaining a credible, merit-based path towards EU membership. He also explored how the European Union can strengthen its geopolitical position through a more effective enlargement policy, while preserving the transformative power and credibility of the accession process.

Participants exchanged views on the challenges facing candidate countries, the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on enlargement debates, and the opportunities for advancing European integration during Ireland’s upcoming Council presidency.

ESI continues to contribute to discussions on the future of European integration, drawing on its long-standing work on enlargement, democracy, and the Western Balkans.

• ESI newsletter: “Vision and interests – Jean Monnet in Ukraine”
• ESI proposal: “Preventing violence – transform Kosovo dialogue”
• ESI background: “Scoreboard - The true state of accession - What the Commission assessments reveal”
• ESI proposal: “End the turtle race How the EU can address the crisis of the accessioxn process”
• ESI proposal: “Offer the four freedoms to the Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova For a merit-based EU accession process with a credible goal”
• ESI proposal: “47 again? Russia out, Kosovo in Support Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe”
• ESI proposal: “Abandon clichés about Bosnia: Push EU-related reforms instead of arbitrary conditions”
• ESI proposal: “No partition: Why Kosovo and Serbia must not discuss territory”
• ESI report: “Anti-Corruption Report for the West Balkans: Measure corruption in order to fight it”