Is the Next EU Enlargement Taking Shape?

When considering the next enlargement of the European Union, the political and economic situation in the world which provides the framework of possibilities and challenges is rarely examined. This paper argues that it is of vital importance for the future of the European Union as a whole that future enlargement or enlargements strengthen the EU only in case of full membership, i.e. if future membership is based on the full scope of rights and obligations. While the gradual application of certain rights and obligations may be justified in the pre-accession phase, this may only apply to the pre-accession phase itself and may not lead to differentiated categories of membership. It is vital that the achievements of EU integration, in particular the integrity of the internal market, must not be endangered. The earlier enlargement paradigm according to which each enlargement must be accompanied by further deepening of integration should be reconsidered. Instead, the more frequent use of existing instruments of flexibility and possible extension of their scope should be considered.