Speaking at the Bled Strategic Forum, von der Leyen emphasized that enlargement had been restored to the “top of the political agenda” in the previous Commission, but now requires even greater urgency and attention.
The upcoming Commission, whose composition is expected to be revealed soon, will feature this new role as part of its commitment to accelerating the enlargement process. Von der Leyen described EU enlargement as an “investment” in Europe’s security and economic competitiveness, and revealed that six candidate countries would soon present their reform plans, which will be supported by €6 billion in European investments.
Meanwhile, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković hinted that Croatia would be very pleased with the portfolio that its candidate, Dubravka Šuica, is set to receive in the new Commission, though he refrained from specifying the details.
Addressing the strategic importance of the Western Balkans, von der Leyen noted the region’s historical role as a frontier between worlds—East and West, North and South—but praised the new generation’s choice to join the European family. “They have chosen to travel, to trade, and to progress together with their European neighbours,” she remarked, underscoring the EU’s commitment to integrating the region into the broader European community.
