Reinvigorating the EU’s Enlargement Policy to promote stability, prosperity and growth in Europe

Trade and international relations Enlargement

In an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, the EU must reinvigorate its enlargement policy as a tool for stability, prosperity and growth in Europe. How should the EU’s approach and instruments be reinforced to ensure a more effective process for both the EU and the candidate countries? A discussion has been launched on the necessary pre-enlargement reforms, including steps to integrate candidate countries further into the Single Market. We believe that businesses can offer valuable insights in this process. Bringing together policymakers, the business community and think tanks, BusinessEurope is organising an event to present its recently adopted position paper on the EU’s Enlargement policy and attempt a deep dive into the debate around the EU’s enlargement policy, the challenges but also the opportunities of an enlarged EU.

29 October 2025, 14.00-16.00 CET

Presentation of BusinessEurope’s recently adopted position paper, followed by a panel discussion featuring:

Markus J. Beyrer, Director General, BusinessEurope
Gert Jan Koopman, Director General, Directorate General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST), European Commission
Monika Sie Dhian Ho, General Director, Clingendael Institute

The discussion will be moderated by Gernot Haas, Chair of BusinessEurope’s Neighbourhood and Enlargement Working Group.

Networking coffee will follow.