Brussels – Following a landmark first edition, which demonstrated the European Commission’s determination to make progress on one of its key priorities for the 2024–2029 mandate, the EU Enlargement Forum is back for a second edition on 16 November, focusing on the most pressing issues: accession pathways and timelines, internal EU reforms, economic support, alignment with EU standards and defence.
“EU enlargement has moved to the centre of political debate in Europe – it is today part of a process of reshaping Europe’s political and security architecture to create a Europe capable of competing with other major global powers,” reads the event’s presentation, which will bring together a broad range of participants under the slogan Wider Europe-Stronger Europe. “We will only be successful when we firmly anchor our candidate countries in the EU.”
Discussions will also consider the findings of the forthcoming 2026 Enlargement Package – due to be published on 4 November – and the implications of the communication on the pre-enlargement policy reviews presented on 6 October.
“We have made more progress on enlargement this year than in any year since 2002. The time has come to prepare our Union for new members,” Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stressed. “Enlargement offers us the opportunity to build a stronger Europe, able to shape its own future.”
Alongside the high-level discussions on the future of an enlarged Union, the Forum will also feature satellite workshops and presentations organised by stakeholders wishing to explore and showcase different perspectives through public events on topics relevant to EU enlargement policy.
The programme of the 2026 EU Enlargement Forum
Following the opening evening and concert on 15 November, featuring the Western Balkan Youth Orchestra (by invitation only), the EU Enlargement Forum will get under way with an opening speech by Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, followed by keynote addresses by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.
High-level panellists include Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama; Moldovan Prime Minister Maia Sandu; Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić; Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski; Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi; Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis; Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius; Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb; and the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Nadia Calviño.
The first panel will explore how to deliver on the EU enlargement policy, just weeks after the presentation of the 2026 Enlargement Package, which will feature accession roadmaps for the four frontrunners – Albania, Moldova, Montenegro and Ukraine – all represented by their prime ministers on the Enlargement Forum stage.
Spotlight dialogues will focus on the perspectives of civil society and local authorities on enlargement, business opportunities, and how to foster reconciliation in the context of EU accession.
The second panel will focus on how to prepare for a larger Union, namely by reforming the EU ahead of the accession of new members. Several EU ministers will contribute to the discussion, drawing on the Commission’s recent proposals and following the failure of the 27 leaders to agree on a clear strategy at the latest European Council summit.
The third panel will consider how EU enlargement policy can deliver results even before accession, through reforms, investment and economic growth. It will look at the example of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which is showing promising results in countries such as North Macedonia, despite the country’s accession process having been stalled for more than four years.
Before the closing session, featuring speeches by President Costa and Commissioner Kos, Commissioner Kubilius will illustrate how enlargement and defence policies are more closely intertwined than ever, not only in Ukraine and Eastern Europe but also across the Western Balkans.
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