Berlin – ESI at a discussion with European commissioner for enlargement Marta Kos

Adnan joined discussions. Photo: ESI

ESI senior analyst Adnan Ćerimagić participated in a closed-door discussion and public event with the European Commissioner for enlargement Marta Kos, hosted by the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) on 4 March 2026 in Berlin. The discussion focused on the future of EU enlargement in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

The event opened with welcoming remarks by ambassador Rolf Nikel, vice president of DGAP, followed by a keynote address by commissioner Marta Kos. In her remarks, she outlined the European Commission’s efforts to renew momentum for enlargement as part of its strategic agenda for 2024–2029, including adapting the accession process to respond to new geopolitical realities and supporting candidate countries facing growing security challenges.

The subsequent discussion examined how the EU’s merit-based enlargement policy can respond to the urgency created by Russia’s war against Ukraine while maintaining credibility for other candidate countries, including Montenegro, Albania, and Moldova. Participants also discussed the implications of future enlargement for EU policies and the challenge of maintaining public support for enlargement within member states.

Adnan contributed ESI’s perspective on the single market integration as a way forward as well as political dynamics shaping enlargement debates across Europe and the Western Balkans, emphasising the importance of credible reform processes and clear communication with European publics about the strategic importance of enlargement.

• ESI proposal: “Preventing violence – transform Kosovo dialogue”
• ESI background: “Scoreboard - The true state of accession - What the Commission assessments reveal”
• ESI proposal: “End the turtle race How the EU can address the crisis of the accession process”
• ESI proposal: “Offer the four freedoms to the Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova For a merit-based EU accession process with a credible goal”
• ESI proposal: “47 again? Russia out, Kosovo in Support Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe”
• ESI proposal: “Abandon clichés about Bosnia: Push EU-related reforms instead of arbitrary conditions”
• ESI proposal: “No partition: Why Kosovo and Serbia must not discuss territory”
• ESI report: “Anti-Corruption Report for the West Balkans: Measure corruption in order to fight it”