Prospects and risks beyond EU enlargement

Since the signing of the Treaties of Rome in 1957, Western European history has been marked by the integration and enlargement of European institutions. The entities now known as the European Union have become crucial for the security and stability of Europe. To maintain these essential functions, the Union must extend its capabilities beyond current borders. The contemporary European agenda focuses on integration, with EU membership prospects serving as a successful tool for shaping transitions in East Central Europe. The upcoming first round of enlargement necessitates a deepening of EU integration, which should be addressed through the EU Convention. As the EU prepares to welcome ten new member states, developments in Europe continue to evolve. Countries beyond the EU's future borders in Eastern Europe and the Balkans are engaged in a threefold process of national consolidation, market economy transition, and strengthening of parliamentary democracy. These processes carry risks, including the emergence of authoritarian regimes and potential armed conflict in Southeastern Europe, which directly affect European security and stability. However, some areas of internal transition are making significant progress toward Western standards, highlighting the danger of reducing Eastern and Southeastern Europe to mere risks, which could lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy.