Theme:
Fit for 35 Forum

The EU is likely to eventually have up to thirty-five members and will need to adapt to accommodate them. SIEPS has asked leading experts what the Union can or should do to be ‘Fit for 35’.

Other

Fit for 35?
Setting the scene for a new SIEPS Forum

Political scientists Göran von Sydow and Valentin Kreilinger set the scene for a new SIEPS forum on enlarging and reforming the EU. In short contributions, renowned experts will discuss major issues at stake.

Valentin Kreilinger, Göran von Sydow
February 2024
Fit for 35 Forum Post 1

Other

Ready, set, go?
How to prepare EU democracy for enlargement

Can the EU accommodate an increased political and cultural diversity after a next round of enlargement? In this contribution, Saskia Hollander (Senior Research Fellow at Clingendael) assesses the impact of EU enlargement on the EU’s capacity to uphold democracy and the rule of law and project core values within its borders.

Saskia Hollander
December 2024
Fit for 35 Forum Post 8

Other

Dilemmas of EU Enlargement:
Geopolitics, Conditionality, and Citizens’ Concerns

While bold decisions have brought enlargement back on the EU’s agenda, long-standing constraints and challenges remain. In this contribution, Professor Antoaneta Dimitrova sheds light on three dilemmas facing EU and candidate state leaders.

Antoaneta Dimitrova
September 2024
Fit for 35 Forum Post 7

Other

EU Enlargement:
A Strategic Imperative for Survival

Activating its enlargement process is not optional for the European Union. In this post, Professor Veronica Anghel argues that enlargement, particularly to wartime Ukraine, is a matter of institutional survival, a major push to enact reforms the EU needs, and a strategy for the EU to respond to the growing competitiveness gap between the organisation and global economic powers.

Veronica Anghel
September 2024
Fit for 35 Forum Post 6

Other

Enlargement will only succeed
if the EU embraces more flexibility

Enlargement policy has been re-discovered as the most powerful tool to stabilize the EU’s neighbourhood. Professor Daniela Schwarzer argues that enlargement will only be successful if the EU becomes more flexible in integrating new members and in its functioning, while enhancing legitimacy and protecting its basic principles more forcefully. (15 May)

Daniela Schwarzer
May 2024
Fit for 35 Forum Post 5

Other

Gradual EU integration:
limits to an à la carte approach

Once regarded as legally and politically impossible, the Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages is now a reality. Leading labour market economist Dominique Anxo assesses whether the landmark legislation is likely to achieve its aims.

Steven Blockmans
April 2024
Fit for 35 Forum Post 4

Other

EU Enlargement:
Exporting Stability or Importing Instability?

Despite the security risks involved, there can be no going back on the EU’s commitment to a renewed enlargement process. Professor Michael Leigh outlines what steps policymakers need to take to fulfil the EU’s aspiration of securing stability.

Michael Leigh
April 2024
Fit for 35 Forum Post 3

Other

Enlargement and Institutional Reform:
How to make a credible security commitment

The challenges of enlargement are great, but the costs of non-enlargement are greater. Professor Erik Jones points out what European policymakers need to consider when committing to enlargement as an investment in peace, security, and stability.

Erik Jones
February 2024
Fit for 35 Forum Post 2

Other

Making a success of EU enlargement:
three proposals

EU leaders have asserted that enlargement is an investment ‘in peace, security, stability and prosperity’. However, for such an investment to pay off, the promise of EU membership must be credible, writes Christophe Hillion (Professor, University of Oslo and College of Europe).

Christophe Hillion
January 2025
Fit for 35 Forum Post 9

When we first raised the question of what the EU can or should do to be ‘Fit for 35’, five renowned academics responded with their analyses in this publication. SIEPS has now created a new forum where experts from research, policy and think tanks present their thoughts on EU reform and enlargement in short texts. Their contributions are presented on this page.

Theme: Fit for 35 Forum

Fit for 35? Setting the scene for a new SIEPS Forum

Ready, set, go? How to prepare EU democracy for enlargement

Dilemmas of EU Enlargement: Geopolitics, Conditionality, and Citizens’ Concerns

EU Enlargement: A Strategic Imperative for Survival

Enlargement will only succeed if the EU embraces more flexibility

Gradual EU integration: limits to an à la carte approach

EU Enlargement: Exporting Stability or Importing Instability?

Enlargement and Institutional Reform: How to make a credible security commitment

Making a success of EU enlargement: three proposals

Theme:
Fit for 35 Forum

Fit for 35?
Setting the scene for a new SIEPS Forum

Ready, set, go?
How to prepare EU democracy for enlargement

Dilemmas of EU Enlargement:
Geopolitics, Conditionality, and Citizens’ Concerns

EU Enlargement:
A Strategic Imperative for Survival

Enlargement will only succeed
if the EU embraces more flexibility

Gradual EU integration:
limits to an à la carte approach

EU Enlargement:
Exporting Stability or Importing Instability?

Enlargement and Institutional Reform:
How to make a credible security commitment

Making a success of EU enlargement:
three proposals