“EU Enlargement and the Western Balkans: Revived consensus, geopolitical necessity and shared responsibility” Twenty years since the biggest enlargement of the European Union with ten new Member States, EU enlargement remains a key driver of long-term security, peace, stability and prosperity in Europe. It continues to promote common values while fostering growth and reconciliation. The enlargement process entered a new phase and momentum in 2024. In the shadow of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and against our European values, the new chapter in EU enlargement requires Europe´s revived consensus on the swift and gradual integration of the Western Balkans as well as solidarity among the EU and its closest partners and underlines the need for full alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). The European Union is not complete without the Western Balkan region. We are aware that a larger Union is also a stronger Union and that it is our responsibility to bring the candidate countries closer to us. EU enlargement is not only a technical exercise but needs to go hand in hand with robust political leadership and close dialogue with our societies. There is no more time for grey zones. Grey zones and political vacuum have only been exploited by third countries, especially by Russia and China, when Europe failed to deliver on promises made to the Western Balkan countries 20 years ago. Hence, the EU integration of the Western Balkan region is today, more than ever before, a geopolitical necessity. Our pro-active enlargement policy is an investment in our own security and stability: It is better to export stability than to risk importing instability. The EU and the Western Balkans are strong partners in managing migration together. The reduction of irregular migration along the Western Balkans route shows the commitment of the Western Balkans partners in fighting smuggling, securing border protection, return and readmission. The EU is ready to continue providing operational support (Frontex and Europol). An enlarged European Union will only be stronger, if we overhaul the way the European Union works. This internal homework for the EU needs to be undertaken in parallel to our enhanced efforts to integrate our Western Balkan partners. Therefore, we need a clear and sincere roadmap for our future work. Nonetheless, the European integration process remains a shared responsibility between the European Union and the candidate countries: the process must be more merit and criteria based, especially when it comes to the fundamentals, the strengthening of rule of law and democracy, the fight against corruption, and the independence of justice, but ensuring that any country prepared for EU membership can proceed without being delayed by the progress of others. But when a candidate country delivers on its promises, so must the Union. Enlargement will also contribute to the competitiveness of Europe’s economy as well as further measures aimed at advancing a gradual integration process. The implementation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans will give especially to children and the young generation a perspective of a more prosperous future. Good neighbourly relations, respect of minority rights and regional cooperation, which ensures the involvement of the relevant regional and local authorities, and fulfilling all obligations and commitments under signed treaties, are essential elements for the stabilisation, association and successful completion of the enlargement process. In this respect all EU-related bilateral and multilateral treaties and commitments should be fully implemented. The Western Balkan partners on the Mediterranean shores are part of the Euro-Mediterranean process and as such will also be an integral part of the renewed commitment to strengthen regional cooperation, in the context of the 30th anniversary of EuroMed in 2025. The European People´s Party (EPP) reaffirms its full and unequivocal commitment to the EU membership of the Western Balkans.