The Security Imperative Driving EU Enlargement

For lead MEP Petras Auštrevičius, security must now rank alongside the rule of law and human rights as a primary criteria for membership. The risks are geographically diverse: from Russian troops in Moldova’s Transnistria and occupied Georgian territories to unresolved ethnic disputes in the Western Balkans. While some candidates like Albania and Montenegro are already NATO members, others, such as Serbia, maintain military neutrality and deep defense ties to Russia and China, complicating the bloc’s goal of strategic alignment.

Beyond mitigating risks, the EU sees potential in the region’s industrial capacity. The Western Balkans host approximately 200 defense-related companies that could diversify supply chains for ammunition and tactical equipment. Analysts suggest that integrating these partners into military mobility projects could alleviate critical infrastructure bottlenecks, particularly along corridors linking the Adriatic to the Black Sea. However, experts warn that importing new members also risks bringing in foreign dependencies or unresolved territorial conflicts, similar to the complex situation surrounding Cyprus.

To balance these strategic gains against potential liabilities, the European Commission is considering the reversibility of benefits—a mechanism that would allow the bloc to suspend funding or voting rights if a new member backslides on democratic standards or alignment with foreign policy. This approach reflects a broader push to ensure that enlargement strengthens the union’s collective defense rather than creating vulnerabilities that hostile actors can exploit. As the EU continues signing security partnerships with countries like Moldova and North Macedonia, the debate remains centered on whether the bloc can successfully integrate its neighbors without importing the very instability it seeks to contain.