Ireland has assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union amid an unpredictable and deeply challenging global environment.
In response, the Irish presidency will focus on delivering progress across its three priority pillars: competitiveness, values and security.
There is a wide range of legislative proposals under each pillar on which the presidency will work intensively, from advancing the "One Europe, One Market" roadmap and strengthening defense readiness, to reinforcing the rule of law and democratic resilience.
These pillars are interlocking and mutually reinforcing. Enlargement is a key priority spanning all three, representing a geostrategic investment in Europe's security and stability. It is also rooted in the shared values of democracy, equality, human rights and the rule of law.
This article is part of The Parliament's "Guide to Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the EU."
Seize the moment
Enlargement negotiations have gained significant momentum in recent weeks, with the opening of Cluster 1 with Ukraine and Moldova and continued strong progress by Montenegro and Albania.
Building on this momentum and delivering further progress will be a central priority for the Irish presidency.
The EU must now match ambition with delivery, especially at a time of such geopolitical volatility.
In particular, the presidency will support Montenegro's goal of closing all remaining negotiating chapters by the end of 2026 and will advance the drafting of its accession treaty, as well as beginning chapter closures for Albania. It will also prioritize the opening of all remaining negotiating clusters with Ukraine and Moldova.
Moreover, Ireland will work closely with all candidate and potential candidate countries to support their EU path, in line with the merit-based accession process.
Ireland's enlargement story
Ireland was part of the first enlargement of the then-European Economic Community in 1973. Over more than five decades of membership, the country has been transformed economically and socially while playing an increasingly active role in shaping the European project.
The transformative potential of EU membership is clear. I hope to see the same opportunities extended to countries in the Western Balkans and Eastern neighborhood.
Other countries deserve the same opportunities from which Ireland has benefited, provided they meet the necessary accession requirements.
I am particularly proud of the progress on enlargement achieved during the Irish Presidency in 2004, when the EU's "big bang" enlargement increased membership from 15 to 25 countries, the large expansion in its history.
This "Day of Welcomes" was a significant step in shaping the strong and diverse Union we know today. It remains a defining moment in Ireland's engagement with the European story.
While Ireland is a strong supporter of enlargement, it also firmly believes that it must remain a merit-based process. A careful balance must be struck between ambition, rewarding progress and protecting the EU's fundamental values and cohesion.
The EU's values and commitment to the rule of law are the bedrock of the Union, and candidate countries must be expected to protect, promote and defend them. This is the promise of membership and the benefits it brings.
The task over the next six months is to turn renewed momentum into tangible progress for candidate countries, and for Europe's security and stability.
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