Brussels – One out, another in. On 1 July 2025, the Danish Presidency takes over from Poland at the helm of the Council of the European Union for the next six months, aiming to bring to a successful close a crucial year for the future of EU enlargement.
“There is no doubt that we want to move ahead with all candidates, this is a priority for us. However, face difficulties in achieving this,” said Ambassador Carsten Grønbech-Jensen, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the EU, during a press briefing in Brussels on the eve of the start of the Danish Presidency.
Under the motto A strong Europe in a changing world, Copenhagen sets out to address “a new international order marked by uncertainty, global strategic and economic competition, and rising levels of conflict,” according to the programme. In this context, an “ambitious, merit-based” enlargement process is seen as key to securing “a strengthened EU” in geopolitical terms. The Western Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine — where “significant progress” will be prioritised—are the key interlocutors among the candidate countries. At the same time, the EU must be “prepared” for enlargement through “appropriate internal reforms.”
EU enlargement on the Danish Presidency’s agenda
“Further enlargement of the EU is a geopolitical necessity,” states the Danish Presidency’s programme, which outlines the General Affairs Council‘s role in helping to “stabilise” the European continent and “strengthen” candidate countries that remain vulnerable to “unwanted external influence”.
The priority will be to advance accession negotiations with the Western Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine. But given Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán‘s renewed veto, the failure to open Cluster 1 – Fundamentals—as happened under the Polish Presidency—now seems almost inevitable. “We are currently thinking about how to address this issue, there are legal and political strains,” Ambassador Grønbech-Jensen explained. “Legally, we can only proceed if we all agree.” As the Danish Presidency is “not backed by all member states” in its ambitions, the first goal will be to “find an agreement to get everyone on board.”
Nonetheless, the ongoing political dialogue with all candidate countries will be reinforced through the implementation of “necessary” reforms, “in line with the Copenhagen criteria” on democracy, the rule of law, and economic convergence with the EU.
At the same time, reforms within the EU itself will be on the agenda. The Danish Presidency aims to “carefully” review the “EU’s values, policies, budget, and decision-making processes,” with the goal of identifying “necessary adjustments” across all four areas. This work will be grounded in the Commission’s upcoming policy reviews on pre-enlargement reforms, “providing a fact-based, analytical foundation for further steps.”
At the Foreign Affairs Council, providing “generous, predictable and coordinated” support for Ukraine in response to Russia’s invasion will remain a top priority on the Danish Presidency’s political agenda. This includes advancing efforts to use the extraordinary interest revenue generated from immobilised Russian assets, maintaining and adopting “the toughest possible sanctions” against Russia, and increasing overall military assistance to Kyiv from the EU and its Member States. The aim is to bolster Ukraine’s long-term deterrence capabilities, “including after a potential ceasefire or peace agreement.”
Military support encompasses joint procurement, reimbursement of Member States’ contributions via the European Peace Facility (EPF), continuation of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), and coordination of training initiatives through the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) programme.
Within this framework, strengthening and deepening integration between the European and Ukrainian defence industries will involve investment in Kyiv’s defence sector and the promotion of “closer pan-European cooperation” in the development and procurement of defence equipment.
Ukraine will also be in the spotlight at the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, as the analysis of the economic and financial consequences of Russia’s aggression, as well as the financial support to Kyiv in response to the war, will be considered “a priority” by the Danish Presidency. While “closely” monitoring developments, ECOFIN is expected to address “any financing needs” and continue discussions on additional sanctions regimes targeting Russia and Belarus.
Meanwhile, the Danish Presidency will “facilitate” discussions in the Justice and Home Affairs Council regarding the future of displaced persons from Ukraine. Finally, two main topics will be addressed at the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council. First, the extension of road transport agreements with Ukraine and Moldova, with the aim of ensuring their “full integration” into the Treaty establishing the Transport Community. Second, support for the reconstruction of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, alongside continued efforts to phase out Russian energy at the EU level.
