'If Europe wants long-term security, it needs to enlarge': EU Commissioner Várhelyi

Várhelyi insists that there has been a new approach to EU enlargement since the war in Ukraine: “We've seen that with the war of aggression of Russia against Ukraine, there's a clear rethinking about enlargement being a priority,” he says. “I think by now it is clear for everyone in Europe, not only for the leaders but also for the general public, that if Europe wants to ensure its long-term security and prosperity, it will need to enlarge, and it will need to have a larger population coming under the same values and creating the same area for everyone in a Europe of peace, stability and security. Now, if you want to look at the State of the Union speech in that context, I think this speech paved the way for how to achieve this, as a mid-term or even short-term reality.”

More specifically, on a key enlargement issue, Várhelyi talks about the Western Balkans growth plan. “What you will see being rolled out this autumn is a growth plan designed for the Western Balkans, which includes four pillars: the possibility of early integration (meaning the real integration on the ground), integration of the economy, integration of the societies, and acceleration of the reforms that are necessary. We can speed up the process of countries effectively joining us in everyday life, without waiting for the institutional process.”

Turning to Turkey, where Várhelyi recently made a visit, he says, “Turkey is now at a very important juncture, and we have heard very encouraging messages right after the elections from the president, and also from the new government, that they want a restart in their relationship with Europe. The European Council was very quick to discuss it, and to ask the Commission to create the parameters of a positive