On 2 November 2023 in Berlin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Krišjānis Kariņš, took part in a Ministerial Conference organised by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, “A larger, stronger Union”, devoted to matters of EU enlargement. As he chaired one of the three discussion panels, Krišjānis Kariņš underlined that a successful course of the enlargement process was of critical importance under the current geopolitical conditions. It is important for EU Member States to demonstrate their support and help enlargement countries maintain a clear perspective of European integration and overcome challenges. Countries wishing to join the EU bloc should make effort to implement reforms and recommendations, demonstrate their ability to embrace EU values and come closer to its common foreign and security policy. At the same time, the European Union needs to assess what internal institutional and policy adjustments will be necessary in order for an enlarged European Union to function and develop successfully.
The Minister underlined that “reforms and enlargement go hand in hand”; therefore, it is important to aim for a robust and enlarged European Union based on shared values, capable of demonstrating a strong geopolitical posture.
The Ministerial Conference, “A larger, stronger Union. Making the European Union fit for enlargement and future members fit for accession” held in Berlin brought together the Foreign Ministers and other senior officials of EU Member States as well as the Foreign Ministers and high-level representatives of the countries in the process of accession – Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, and Turkey.
The conference is taking place shortly before the European Commission is due to publish its enlargement package, which will contain progress reports on the countries in the EU enlargement process and set priorities for further reforms. An enlargement-related discussion based on the EC reports is expected among Member States in December.
