March 18, 2026.

The German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), in cooperation with the Jacques Delors Institute, the Clingendael Institute and Carnegie Europe, has published a policy brief titled “Europe’s Next Enlargement: What Berlin, Paris, and The Hague Really Think”. This policy brief examines perspectives on enlargement in three key member states – Germany, France, and the Netherlands – and offers recommendations on how to move forward.

The policy brief examines how Germany, France, and the Netherlands approach the next phase of EU enlargement, particularly in relation to Ukraine and the Western Balkan countries. It compares national positions on accession reform, the prospects of frontrunner candidates such as Montenegro and Albania, and the balance between geopolitical considerations and the EU’s accession criteria.

This publication aims to inform policymakers about the challenges and opportunities of a new enlargement wave. It highlights the need for stronger coordination among member states, clearer communication with the public, and a credible accession process that supports both European security and the integration of candidate countries.

You can find the policy brief Europe’s Next Enlargement: What Berlin, Paris, and The Hague Really Think by Milan Nič, Sébastien Maillard, Wouter Zweers, Dimitar Bechev, and Nikola Xaviereff, published by German Council on Foreign Relations (2026), here.