EU enlargement policy in 2022

challenges or perspectives?

Abstract

The paper focuses on the new challenges in front of the EU enlargement policy concerning on the one hand the current accession negotiations with the Western Balkans and on the other hand - the expressed willingness for EU membership of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war. The analysis emphasizes on the EU as a “transformative power” through the “enlargement process”. It takes into consideration the new realities related to the French President Macron’s proposal for European Political Community and the rapid transition of Ukraine, Moldova and at some point Georgia, covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy to the European Enlargement Policy by obtaining candidate country status. The paper reveals how important is the doors of the EU to remain open and just ajar for the Western Balkans and Eastern partnership countries, but without creating unrealistic expectations about “fast track” due to the “force majeure” situations. The methods of analysis and synthesis of primary and secondary sources of information, generalisation, induction and deduction were used.