Exploring beyond the formal characteristics of the EU enlargement policy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60054/PEU.2025.12.149-158Keywords:
EU enlargement policy, Transformation in the Western Balkans and former Soviet statesAbstract
The shifting security environment in Europe necessitates an urgent reform of the EU’s enlargement policy. Its meaningful redefinition requires a systematic understanding of the underlying principles, operational mechanisms, and their concrete effects. This paper examines its real-world application by studying the European Commission’s annual reports for four candidate and potential candidate countries. Using a mixed-method qualitative-quantitative approach, we identify key structural characteristics beyond official discourse. These findings lay the groundwork for significant reforms in the EU’s approach to future enlargements.
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