EU expansion: Kos warns of dangers and demands realistic solutions!

EU expansion: Kos warns of dangers and demands realistic solutions!

On September 8, 2025, there was an exchange between the EU Commissioner Marta Kos and Austrian mandatar: inside. The focus of the conversation was the results of a Eurobarometer survey and the challenges of the European Union's expansion process. Kos reported that so far no candidate for accession has fulfilled all the necessary criteria. She also pointed out that the preference for Ukraine is excluded in the expansion process and spoke out against a accelerated, so -called "fast" solution. Instead, a gradual integration of the candidate countries should be sought.

Kos represented the expansion as a "historical opportunity", which is to be understood as a big challenge for the EU. The need to create institutions to protect democracy and to comply with the principles of the Acquis Communautaire was also highlighted. Politicians present: Inside, including Dagmar Belakowitsch, Irene Eisenhut and Christofer Ranzmaier from the FPÖ, as well as other members of the ÖVP, SPÖ, NEOS and GREEN, were different about the challenges and goals of the EU expansion process.

Political reactions and concern about disinformation

Austria is considered a skeptical country with regard to the EU expansion, whereby 56 % of the citizens are currently supporting the process in the Eurobarometer survey-an increase of 39 % within ten years. The concern also includes the threat of civil society in Serbia and the need to counter disinformation campaigns, especially from Russian actors. Kos emphasized that the EU is investing 300 million euros in the Republic of Moldova in order to counter false narratives.

The debate about the western Balkans also received a circulating one in spring 2021 Non-paper in explosiveness. This document suggests a reorganization of the Western Balkans on ethnic principles, which causes concern for a possible return of military conflicts. The reactions to the paper were mostly negative, and German politicians like Foreign Minister Heiko Maas vehemently rejected the suggestions.

Strategic realignment required

In view of the geopolitical situation, which is characterized by the Ukraine War, a strategic realignment of EU expansion policy is required. Active leadership and profound reforms are driven by a need to integrate the Western Balkans into the democratic and economic sphere of Europe. Political decision -makers like Jorida Tabaku and Peter Beyer emphasize the urgency that the Western Balkans must no longer linger on a "waiting list".

Over 80% of people in the Western Balkans support regional cooperation to promote the economic upswing. At the same time, according to the experts, the administrative and legislative reforms must be viewed as central tasks of the EU in order to restore the trust of the population. This applies in particular to basic values ​​such as pluralism and the rule of law that are not negotiable.

Overall, it can be seen that the challenges for the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU are complex. The EU has the chance to consolidate its credibility by taking brave steps and building real partnerships with the accession countries. A clear path to democratic renewal and economic change could promote peace and prosperity in the region in the long term. Investments in digital infrastructure and the promotion of renewable energies are crucial in order to promote sustainable growth and development.

The prospects of the expansion process are therefore closely related to the ability of the EU to clearly communicate strategic investments and to conduct an integrative dialogue with the citizens: inside the accession countries. The time for a request for action is now.