Where the law stands, Dossier 2025/2110(INI)
EU enlargement strategy
Own-initiative report (INI): Parliament’s own position on a topic. It is not binding. · First reading
Parliament sets out its own position on a topic. The resolution is not binding but signals what Parliament wants.
Where it stands
Parliament’s position
Parliament adopted the text on 11 March 2026. This is its final position on the matter.
- Referred to committee(done) 19 June 2025
- Committee work(done) Report adopted 28 January 2026
- Tabled for plenary(done) 5 February 2026
- Plenary vote(done) Adopted 11 March 2026
- Parliament’s position(done) Final
Decided in plenary
11 March 2026 · decision 9
Foreign affairs, Resolution
EU enlargement strategy
Adopted 385 for · 147 against · 98 abstained by a clear majority
AI summary:The resolution stresses that enlargement is merit-based and that progress depends on irreversible reforms in rule of law and democratic institutions.
What changed
Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament
AI summary:The only substantive change is the removal of a paragraph on institutional reforms, including QMV and MFF adjustments. Other changes are formal: percentage signs, decimal separators, a label period, and paragraph renumbering.
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary
AI summary:The report expands significantly, adding new recitals and paragraphs on public support, trade benefits, and threats from Russia and China. It strengthens language on geopolitical urgency, the cost of non-enlargement, and the need for EU credibility and strategic autonomy. It adds detailed provisions on rule of law, gender equality, civil society, and gradual integration, including visa liberalisation and institutional reforms. It introduces new sections on financial assistance, connectivity, and disinformation, with specific calls for action. The other changes are formal or wording updates, including renumbering and minor rephrasing.
Who works on it
- Lead committee
- Foreign Affairs
- The MEP who drafts the report and negotiates it on behalf of the committee.
- Petras Auštrevičius (Renew)
- An MEP who follows a report on behalf of their own group when another group holds the rapporteur.
- Andrey Kovatchev (EPP), Tonino Picula (S&D), Roberto Vannacci (Patriots), Mieke Andriese (Patriots), Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza (ECR), Thomas Waitz (Greens), Merja Kyllönen (The Left), Stanislav Stoyanov (ESN)
The text, version by version
Newest first.
Adopted by Parliament· 11 Mar 2026
AI summary:Parliament's resolution on the EU enlargement strategy reaffirms enlargement as a strategic, merit-based process and calls for reforms in the EU and candidate countries to prepare for future accessions.
Tabled for plenary· 5 Feb 2026
AI summary:Parliament's resolution on the EU enlargement strategy reiterates that enlargement is a strategic investment in security and stability, and that accession must remain merit-based and reversible.
Committee draft· 11 Nov 2025
AI summary:This draft report on the EU enlargement strategy reiterates that enlargement is a merit-based process and a strategic priority, calling for reforms within the EU and support for candidate countries.
Timeline
Newest first.
Plenary stage 4 steps
11 March 2026
Plenary vote
Sitting of 11 Mar 2026 Report A10-0016/2026Adopted text TA10-0077/2026
10 March 2026
Debated in plenary
MEPs debated the text in the chamber ahead of the vote.
4 March 2026
1 amendment tabled for the plenary vote
Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.
5 February 2026
Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
Committee stage 4 steps
28 January 2026
Committee vote: report adopted
AFET (Foreign Affairs) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
4 December 2025
Amendments tabled in committee
Members of AFET (Foreign Affairs) proposed changes to the draft.
11 November 2025
Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in AFET (Foreign Affairs). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
19 June 2025
Referred to the AFET (Foreign Affairs) committee
The lead committee prepares Parliament’s report.
Official record: Legislative Observatory, 2025/2110(INI)