Preparing for EU35+: The View from Central Europe
Preparing for EU35+: The View from Central Europe

Author(s): Jolana Gubalová, Vladislava Gubalová
Subject(s): EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development
Published by: EUROPEUM - Institut pro evropskou politiku
Summary/Abstract: With future enlargement of the European Union (EU) finally becoming a plausible reality, the Visegrad Four countries (V4) have a unique opportunity to step up as leaders in the ‘EU’s most successful foreign policy tool.’ However, taking on such responsibility will necessitate significant shift in evaluating the forthcoming processes and their short-, medium- and longterm consequences (enlargement and internal reform), forging reasonable and benefiting negotiation strategy and ability to communicate strategically upcoming gains from enlargement and cost of non-enlargement. Are the Central European countries prepared? In May 2024, several Central European countries, celebrated twenty years since their own accession to the EU. No longer ‘new members’, such anniversary calls for careful evaluation of the tenure so far. And, with future enlargement back on the Agenda, for the first time the V4 countries are pressed to look at the upcoming process through the lens of wellestablished member states.

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