The European Union is emphasizing the relevance of its enlargement process, despite Iceland voting against resuming accession talks with the bloc. “There is a new interest in Europe,” Marta Kos, the EU commissioner for enlargement, said in an interview with Bloomberg on the sidelines of the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia. She added that “after years of slow progress, the process is moving again,” noting that this year the EU has opened and closed more negotiating chapters than in any other year of the past 25 years.
Iceland’s rejection of resuming EU membership talks, albeit by a narrow margin, highlights the limits of the bloc’s geopolitical appeal, particularly in light of recent proposals by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding neighboring Greenland. Voters instead prioritized protecting sovereignty and Iceland’s fishing industry, leading to the refusal to negotiate with Brussels.
Kos expresses regret and argues for membership
Kos, who oversees the EU accession process at the European Commission (the EU’s executive body), said she “personally regrets” Iceland’s decision. “I believe that full membership would be the best guarantee for Iceland to benefit from its relationship with the EU in the future, as full membership offers more than access to the single market and the Schengen Area,” Kos said on Monday, referring to Europe’s free‑movement zone. She added that “membership also means a seat at the table when we make decisions about the future of our continent in these changing and turbulent times. And this is more important than ever as the Arctic becomes increasingly vital to Europe’s security.”
Nevertheless, Kos stressed that 47% of Icelanders voted in favor of resuming talks and noted that the country will remain “deeply integrated into the EU’s structures.” Iceland already has access to the EU’s single market through the European Economic Area agreement.
Accession candidates: Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, Moldova
Marta Kos said that Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova “remain at the forefront” of the EU accession process, arguing that “Europe is as attractive as it has ever been.” Montenegro is expected to conclude negotiations with the EU this year and could become a member in 2028, pending approval by member states. Albania aims to finalize negotiations by the end of 2027, and, according to Kos, “if they continue to meet their commitments as they are now, it is possible.”
The commissioner noted that Ukraine is making progress in negotiations with Brussels on EU accession, with Kyiv eyeing 2030 as a target date for joining. “The war has lasted much longer than we expected,” Kos said. “The longer the war, the greater the needs. But despite the intensified attacks on Ukraine, we see a willingness to fulfill commitments.”
According to: Bloomberg
