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European Council President Antonio Costa said Saturday that the European Union’s next enlargement to Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans would “further strengthen” the bloc as a geopolitical actor.
Speaking at the Cernobbio Forum in Italy, Costa described enlargement as “the greatest geopolitical investment Europe has ever made.”
“Enlargement has strengthened democracy, the rule of law, and our shared prosperity and resilience,” he said.
Costa added that the next expansion would further strengthen the EU “as a geopolitical actor for peace, security and prosperity.”
Costa rejected what he called “simplistic comparisons” suggesting that Europe was falling behind.
However, he acknowledged that the bloc needed to improve its competitiveness and its ability to respond faster and in a more united way.
He said EU leaders had been pursuing an action plan focused on completing the single market, cutting unnecessary bureaucracy, ensuring affordable energy, strengthening industrial capacity, reducing dependencies and mobilizing investment.
Costa also called for deeper capital markets and greater investment in innovation, including artificial intelligence.
He stressed the need for an EU budget capable of supporting competitiveness, defense, security and strategic resilience.
Costa added that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East showed “once again how existential it is for Europe to become more independent.”
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