Von der Leyen Calls EU Enlargement “Investment in Security and Freedom” in New Video Message
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a video message to the EU Enlargement Forum, reaffirming that EU enlargement remains one of the European Union’s most powerful instruments for peace, stability and prosperity. Speaking to commissioners, diplomats and experts, she underlined that the EU has always been a peace project, but that in the current geopolitical climate enlargement has become “an investment in our collective security and freedom.” Von der Leyen stressed that Europe is stronger whenever it stands united, especially amid global uncertainty.
Reflecting on her 2025 visits to Ukraine in February, Moldova in July and the Western Balkans in October, she said she witnessed “hope for a European future” shared by citizens, civil society and business leaders across the region. She acknowledged that EU membership requires extensive reforms and alignment with EU rules, but emphasised that the rewards are substantial. Countries that joined in the most recent enlargement wave saw their economies grow rapidly, living standards double, unemployment nearly halve, life expectancy rise by four years and six million new jobs created.
Von der Leyen argued that the same transformation awaits the next group of candidate countries, but highlighted that the Commission is already working to deliver early benefits through its new Growth Plans. These plans link reform progress with staged access to segments of the EU’s single market, combined with strong financial investment. Enlargement partners that implement key reforms gain access to new sectors of the single market, while the EU invests in local industries, cross-border infrastructure and integration into European supply chains.
She highlighted targeted support for transport connectivity and clean, renewable and affordable energy as essential tools to strengthen local resilience. Von der Leyen also pointed to additional advantages, including the removal of roaming charges for calls to the EU and access to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), reducing cross-border payment costs for businesses by millions of euros per year.
The Commission President stated that enlargement is a common European responsibility grounded in shared history, geography and culture. She emphasised the strong enthusiasm of young people across both candidate countries and current Member States, who see a united Europe as a place of opportunity, freedom and prosperity. Concluding her message, she described Europe not only as a political union, but as “our home,” and wished participants a successful forum, ending with the declaration: “Long live Europe.”
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