Enlargement strategy and main challenges 2008-2009. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament.

Abstract

Enlargement is one of the EU's most powerful policy tools. It serves the EU's strategic interests in stability, security, and conflict prevention. It has helped to increase prosperity and growth opportunities, to improve links with vital transport and energy routes, and to increase the EU's weight in the world. In May 2009, the EU will mark the fifth anniversary of the 2004 enlargement. The present enlargement agenda covers the Western Balkans and Turkey, which have been given the perspective of becoming EU members once they fulfil the necessary conditions. The European perspective has contributed to peace and stability, and enabled partners to cope with major challenges, such as Kosovo's declaration of independence, while maintaining regional security. It provides in both the Western Balkans and Turkey strong encouragement for political and economic reform. It is in the EU's strategic interest to keep up the momentum of this process, on the basis of agreed principles and conditions. This interest to project stability is all the more apparent in the light of recent challenges to stability to the East of the EU, including in the southern Caucasus.