Please contact Heather Grabbe for further information. The challenge of EU Enlargement Enlargement eastwards will be the European Union's greatest contribution to security and stability for the 21st century. Enlargement could also dynamise European integration by infusing the Union with new blood from countries used to reforming their economies and political institutions much more quickly and radically that any member state would dare. But although the benefits are manifest, political management of the accession process will be very demanding.
Enlargement poses major challenges to existing institutions and policies.
Meanwhile, the applicant countries have to adapt to complex policies, implement more than 80,000 pages of EU legislation, and meet a growing list of other conditions. The EU has a policy for accession, but still needs to develop a strategy for enlargement. East-West integration has already happened through trade, investment and business development. How to bring EU internal and external security policies together to address real threats and confront exaggerated fears of migration. In addition to producing publications on these issues, the CER is running a series of events with its Enlargement Working Group.