BRUSSELS, Oct. 12 (BalkanView) – The European Union is increasingly treating enlargement as a strategic security priority, with foreign ministers agreeing on Monday to deepen defence cooperation with candidate countries, including those in the Western Balkans, as Europe confronts Russian aggression, hybrid threats and growing instability in the Middle East.
The shift places security cooperation alongside democratic reforms and regional stability in the EU accession process, potentially giving Western Balkan countries a more prominent role in Europe’s future defence architecture.
Meeting in Brussels, EU foreign ministers discussed the security implications of an enlarged Union ahead of a strategic debate scheduled for the October European Council summit.
“Enlargement has been the EU’s most successful foreign policy tool for decades,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
“Many candidate countries are already significantly contributing to our security. Ukraine, of course, is Europe’s first line of defence against the Russian aggression. Moldova and our Western Balkan partners contribute to EU missions and operations.”
Western Balkans gain strategic importance
Ministers agreed to strengthen security and defence cooperation with candidate countries according to their progress towards EU membership and alignment with the bloc’s policies.
The discussions covered opportunities for closer foreign policy coordination, defence cooperation and the contribution of aspiring members to regional stability.
The Council also stressed the importance of good neighbourly relations and resolving regional disputes as part of the accession process.
For the Western Balkans, the discussions signal that Brussels increasingly regards enlargement not only as a political and economic integration project but also as an instrument for strengthening European security.
Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are negotiating EU membership, while Bosnia and Herzegovina has candidate status and Kosovo remains a potential candidate.
However, the ministers announced no new accession deadlines or changes to the formal membership criteria.
EU targets nearly 1,600 Russian individuals and entities
The security debate came as the Council adopted what it described as its largest-ever package of sanctions listings targeting almost 1,600 individuals and entities connected to Russia’s military-industrial complex.
Another 77 individuals were listed over their involvement in Russian parliamentary elections held in September in occupied Ukrainian territories, which the EU considers illegal.
Ministers discussed further sanctions against Moscow, including a possible 22nd package of restrictive measures, tighter enforcement and additional action against Russia’s shadow fleet.
Kallas said there was support among ministers for a reciprocal halt to attacks on energy infrastructure between Russia and Ukraine, provided Moscow respected the arrangement.
“But ceasefire cannot work if only one party honours it,” she said, adding that it was not the time to reduce pressure on Russia.
Ministers also considered restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats, fewer tourist visas for Russian nationals and measures preventing former Russian combatants from entering the EU.
Brussels proposes emergency response to hybrid attacks
The EU is preparing an emergency security protocol intended to strengthen its ability to respond rapidly to hybrid threats, including foreign interference and other destabilising activities.
“When it comes to our collective response, we need a mechanism to consult and to act rapidly,” Kallas said.
The proposed mechanism would form part of a broader European security strategy and include response tools that could be deployed quickly.
Ministers also held a separate discussion on countering foreign information manipulation and interference, highlighting the growing importance of strategic communication in European security policy.
Ukraine moves closer to further EU accession talks
Kallas welcomed Ukraine’s adoption of legislation needed to enable negotiations on two additional EU accession clusters.
The Council also examined Ukraine’s financing requirements for 2027 and the role member states could play in addressing the expected funding gap.
The discussion reinforced the connection between enlargement policy and the EU’s wider response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Middle East tensions raise concerns over global trade
Beyond European security, ministers discussed escalating tensions in the Gulf and Red Sea, including attacks on Saudi Arabia and disruptions to international shipping.
The Council condemned a recent Houthi attack on Riyadh airport and called for de-escalation and renewed diplomatic efforts.
Ministers emphasised the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab open to international navigation, including through the EU’s maritime security operation, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES.
“Keeping the Red Sea open is in Europe’s strategic interest,” Kallas said.
The Council also expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israeli settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank.
Ministers regretted the postponement of Palestinian legislative elections and reaffirmed EU support for efforts to restore the democratic legitimacy of Palestinian institutions.
The EU also established a new security support mission in Lebanon aimed at strengthening the country’s armed forces and internal security institutions.
Enlargement increasingly linked to Europe’s geopolitical future
Monday’s meeting reflected a broader effort to connect EU enlargement with the bloc’s ability to respond to external threats.
For Western Balkan governments, closer cooperation on security and defence could create additional opportunities for integration with European institutions before full membership.
But Brussels made clear that such cooperation would remain tied to progress in the accession process, foreign policy alignment and regional stability.
The strategic implications of enlargement are expected to feature prominently in discussions among EU leaders later this month.