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EU Parl Watch

Changes between two versions

What changed between the draft committee report and the plenary report

From · draft committee report· 11 Nov 2025

AFET-PR-778144

on the EU enlargement strategy

To · plenary report· 5 Feb 2026

A-10-2026-0016

on the EU enlargement strategy

AI:What changed, in short

The report expands significantly, adding new recitals and paragraphs on public support, trade benefits, and threats from Russia and China.3 It strengthens language on geopolitical urgency, the cost of non-enlargement, and the need for EU credibility and strategic autonomy.4568 It adds detailed provisions on rule of law, gender equality, civil society, and gradual integration, including visa liberalisation and institutional reforms.710 It introduces new sections on financial assistance, connectivity, and disinformation, with specific calls for action.12 The other changes are formal or wording updates, including renumbering and minor rephrasing.12911

8 changes of substance · 2 formal · 3 of wording only

Written by AI from the two texts only · read the changes before relying on it · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem

+67 added · −17 removed · 12 changed paragraphs, packaging included.

Part 4 of 4: EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing significant geopolitical shifts have prompted a new dynamism in the enlargement process. With the granting of candidate status to Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, there are now ten countries that have embarked upon a path towards the EU. From the EU’s perspective, enlargement is a geo-strategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity. While the expectations and progress of individual candidate countries are different, they are all evaluated based on fair and rigorous conditionality, the principle of own merits and reversibility.

Change 13

Changed:This report evaluates the suitability and relevance of the current EU political position on enlargement and the methodology applied by the Commission, assessing the overall progress in the accession preparations and negotiations to drive forward irreversible reforms. It draws on AFET’s prior work on the subject, including annual country enlargement reports and recommendations.recommendation.