Zagreb: EU enlargement chief Marta Kos on Tuesday unveiled four key areas for reforming the European Union's enlargement process, emphasizing the need to protect current members, implement internal reforms, enforce rule of law safeguards, and promote gradual integration.

According to Anadolu Agency, Kos addressed an ambassadors' conference in Croatia, emphasizing that the evolving global landscape necessitates changes in the EU's enlargement strategy. She underscored the importance of safeguarding the interests of existing member states as a fundamental aspect of the proposed reforms.

Kos highlighted the necessity for internal reforms to ensure that a larger EU remains effective and adaptable, especially in times of crisis. She pointed out that existing EU treaties offer substantial opportunities to streamline decision-making processes and enhance institutional functions, suggesting that smaller groups of member states could lead initiatives when unanimous agreement is unattainable.

Reinforcing the significance of the rule of law, Kos stressed that new members should fortify Europe across political, economic, and security dimensions. She warned against the risk of admitting 'Trojan horses' into the Union and advocated for stronger safeguards to prevent and address violations of fundamental EU principles and values.

Kos proposed a shift from the traditional 'all or nothing' enlargement approach to a more structured and incremental integration process, reflecting current global challenges. She emphasized that enlargement is crucial not only for expanding the Union but also for shaping the future of Europe amid geopolitical pressures and evolving alliances.

The EU's enlargement strategy, she argued, should aim to fortify the Union, enabling it to protect its interests against global competition. Kos highlighted that the ongoing year has already seen unprecedented progress in the enlargement process, with more negotiating chapters opened and closed than in the past quarter-century.

Kos concluded by noting the significance of 2026 as a milestone year for the EU enlargement process, setting the stage for the Union's future growth and stability.