EU Enlargement Conference: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back?

Today, 13 February, the European Union Enlargement Conference is taking place in Tallinn. Participants will discuss the prospects for Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro, Albania, and other countries to join the EU at a time when the enlargement process has gained new momentum.

Speakers at the conference include Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka, Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov, Montenegro’s Deputy Minister for EU Affairs Ivan Ivanišević, former President of Iceland Guðni Jóhannesson, State Secretary Keit Kasemets, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jonatan Vseviov, and many others.

“Just over 20 years ago, Estonia stood on the threshold of the EU, as Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkan countries do today. Our own experience has demonstrated the transformative power of European integration—politically, economically, and socially. We want to see the same success extended to today’s candidate countries. We are strong and consistent supporters of the enlargement process,” said Tsahkna in his opening remarks. “I hope that today’s discussions will generate concrete ideas and renewed momentum, because grey zones in Europe deepen instability and increase the appetite of aggressors.”

“The new momentum in the enlargement process stems largely from the geopolitical context, including Europe’s push for a stronger voice in the US-mediated effort to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. While a genuine and just peace this year remains uncertain, the idea of Ukraine’s ultra-fast accession by 1 January 2027 has already prompted the European Commission to work on how this could be achieved. At the conference, we will discuss whether the existing merit-based approach can keep pace with geopolitical urgency; what precedent this would set for other candidate countries that share the EU’s geopolitical outlook, and for Northern European countries that might revive their stalled accession efforts,” explained conference director and senior fellow at the International Centre for Defence and Security Dr Steven Blockmans.

The conference is organised by the International Centre for Defence and Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the European Commission Representation in Estonia and the embassies of Sweden and Cyprus.

The conference is taking place at the Nordic Hotel Forum. The event is by invitation only.

Photos from the event: Flickr

See the full programme at: EUEC2026

Livestreams of the conference: YouTube

Media contacts:

Liisi Poll, liisi.poll@icds.ee; +372 5783 1881

Kerstin Meresma, kerstin.meresma@mfa.ee; +372 5648 8066