Towards Further Enlargement of the European Union: Legal Pathways to the Gradual Integration of Candidate Countries

Since Russia’s full-scale military aggression against Ukraine, further enlargement is again a ‘hot topic’ on the political agenda of the European Union. The accession prospect for countries from the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe is considered a necessary geopolitical investment in stability and security on the European continent. At the same time, the question arises as to when the candidate countries will meet the requirements for membership. Taking into account the demanding pre-accession conditionality, the concept of ‘gradual integration’ is increasingly put forward as the main policy response to this challenge. This article unpacks the background and meaning of ‘gradual integration’ as a mechanism of the EU’s revised enlargement methodology. In essence, it is argued that the focus on gradual integration of candidate countries is less innovative as it seems at first glance. Proceeding from the lessons of previous enlargement rounds, various legal pathways to the gradual integration of candidate countries can be identified.