Vienna – ESI joins EPP Political Assembly debate on the future of EU enlargement

Adnan spoke at the EPP Political Assembly in Vienna. Photo: ESI

Adnan Ćerimagić, ESI’s senior analyst, took part in the European People's Party Political Assembly in Vienna on 29 June 2026, participating in a high-level panel on the future of EU enlargement. The discussion brought together policymakers from across Europe to examine how the European Union can translate its renewed commitment to enlargement into concrete action.

Adnan joined a panel chaired by David McAllister alongside Wolfgang Schüssel, former federal chancellor of Austria, Inês Domingos, Portugal’s secretary of state for European affairs, Harmen Krul, member of the Dutch parliament, and Tilman Kuban, member of the German Bundestag. The discussion focused on whether the European Union is institutionally and politically prepared for the next phase of enlargement.

Drawing on ESI’s research, Adnan argued that the credibility of enlargement depends on delivering tangible benefits to candidate countries that implement reforms. He highlighted the importance of a merit-based accession process that rewards progress, including earlier integration into the EU Single Market, while maintaining rigorous accession standards. He also discussed how a more credible enlargement policy would strengthen both the European Union and candidate countries at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.

The Political Assembly also featured a second panel on the readiness of candidate countries for accession, with senior representatives from Moldova, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. Participants subsequently discussed and adopted an EPP Presidency Resolution on EU enlargement.

ESI continues to contribute to European discussions on enlargement, democratic reforms, and the future of European integration.

• ESI proposal: “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 accession 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”