Pre-enlargement policy reviews

On 6 October 2026, the European Commission adopted a package on pre-enlargement policy reviews, setting out the policy orientations and actions needed to prepare the Union for future enlargements.

In today's package the Commission provides an in-depth assessment of our policies in light of upcoming enlargements. It sets out how the existing Treaty framework and future accession treaties can be used to prepare the Union for a larger membership.

It also proposes a set of safeguards for future accession treaties, including stronger sectoral safeguards and a new institutional safeguard clause, to ensure that commitments undertaken during accession negotiations continue to be fulfilled steadily after accession.

More information in the press release.