Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes The Neighbourhood: Europe’s enlargement moment
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Oct 10, 2025 In this discussion, Lykke Friis, co-chair of ECFR’s council and former Danish minister, dives into the pressing topic of EU enlargement amid geopolitical shifts. She highlights Denmark's evolving stance toward enlargement, particularly regarding Ukraine and Moldova, and the tension between merit-based accession and security needs. The conversation touches on public opinion changes in Denmark post-Brexit, the role of external pressures, and innovative ideas like gradual integration to enhance membership benefits without full accession. A compelling exploration of Europe’s future!
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Denmark's Enlargement Ambition Meets Realpolitik
- Denmark has a historical pro-enlargement record but faced pushback at the Copenhagen meeting when enlargement wasn't prioritised.
- Lykke Friis argues practical domestic concerns and old EU dynamics trump geopolitical rhetoric when concrete decisions arise.
Enlargement Recast As Security Policy
- The EU now frames enlargement as a security issue, not only a technical reform process.
- Friis suggests this forces a new approach balancing geopolitical urgency and merit-based accession.
Regional Divides Shape Enlargement Politics
- Nordic and Baltic (NB8) states are the strongest EU supporters of enlargement.
- Southern states and leaders like Viktor Orbán present resistance or ambiguous positions, blocking unanimity.
