Introduction: EU Enlargement and Successful Integration

Petr, Michal (2026) Introduction: EU Enlargement and Successful Integration. In: EU Enlargement and Successful Integration: Is There a Way? Studies of the Central European Professors’ Network . Central European Academic Publishing, Miskolc-Budapest, pp. 1-20. ISBN 978-615-7027-65-7, 978-615-7027-66-4, 978-615-7027-67-1

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Abstract

This chapter introduces the book EU Enlargement and Successful Integration. It examines the evolving landscape of European Union (EU) enlargement and the conditions necessary to ensure the successful integration of future Member States. Against the backdrop of the European Commission’s 2025 Enlargement Package and renewed political momentum for enlarging the EU, this chapter argues that enlargement cannot be assessed merely by the formal admission of new members; it must also be evaluated through the quality of post‑accession integration. A multidimensional framework is proposed for evaluating integration – economic, legal and political – combining measurable indicators such as GDP convergence and infringement proceedings with qualitative assessments of public support and political alignment. The chapter outlines four core research questions guiding the book: the organisation of enlargement processes in past rounds; the effectiveness of the integration of earlier entrants; the preparedness and political dynamics of current candidate states; and the reforms needed within the EU to enable the next phase of enlargement, as well as possible alternatives. It explains the scope and methodology employed throughout the publication. In addition, the chapter highlights three cross‑cutting issues that shape enlargement outcomes: fluctuating public support in both candidate states and the EU; the unresolved question of the EU’s future constitutional architecture; and the potential need for alternative forms of association short of full membership. It concludes that enlargement and internal EU reform are interdependent processes, and that the long‑term success of enlargement will depend on both the EU’s willingness to adapt and the candidates’ capacity to meet increasingly demanding criteria.

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