European enlargement cannot be a failure!
The European enlargement process stands at a critical juncture—one that demands careful scrutiny and strategic foresight. Our latest report “Costs of Non-Enlargement. Foresight Report on EU-Enlargement and Neighbourhood” delves into the nuanced dynamics surrounding this pivotal issue, examining both the challenges, possible consequences and opportunities that lie ahead. You can find the link in the comments.
It threatens to destabilize Europe — stripping away strength, fostering vulnerability and depleting vital resources. This would mark the disappearance of one of the EU’s foremost foreign policy tools for decades to come. Furthermore, it would also leave the EU without its known instrument to manage relations in the neighbourhood. The costs that broken accession promises would have for the future of Europe would be huge.
The report describes four different scenarios for the future enlargement and neighbourhood policy of the European Union and formulates policy recommendations. It focuses on the political and social costs of potentially missed opportunities to manage stability, prosperity and multilateral relations in the neighbourhood.
The report presents the results of a foresight project conducted by Visegrad Insight and ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS together with a group of more than 40 scholars and fellows of both organisations. Special thanks to Magda Jakubowska, Wojciech Przybylski, Anna Hofmann, Jan Karol Farfal, Zakaria Al Shmaly, Rostyslava (Rosenka) Babinets, Marek Bičan, Stanislav Budnitsky, Tania Bulakh, Olga Chyzhova, Nikola Dimitrov, Pavel Havlicek, Tanya Lokot, Hennadiy Maksak, Vukan Markovic, Eric Maurice, Felix Oldenburg, Samuel Ramani, Emma Rimpiläinen, Maryia R., Maria Simeonova, Žilvinas Švedkauskas, Paul Taylor, Julian Waller, Amanda Zadorian and several other policy and civil society leaders last year.
"Trajectories of Change – Strategic Foresight for EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood" represents not only a comprehensive assessment of the current landscape but also a roadmap for informed decision-making and policy formulation. By bridging the gap between academic inquiry and policy discourse, our report seeks to engender constructive dialogue and informed action among civil society stakeholders. Thanks again for the inspiring talks Miroslav Lajcak, Katarina Mathernova, Radosław Sikorski, Andrius Kubilius, Marek Havrda, PhD, Jerzy Pomianowski, Lisa Yasko and Thomas Hemmelgarn.
We invite you to engage with our findings, explore our policy recommendations, and contribute to the ongoing conversation surrounding the future of European enlargement. Together, let us chart a course towards a more resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking #Europe. #EUEnlargement #EUNeighborhood #StrategicForesight #PolicyAnalysis