Often presented as the "most successful EU foreign policy", enlargement has been one of the most significant undertakings of the European Union over the last two decades. The recent admission of numerous states to the Union has however exposed shortcomings in the way in which that policy is carried out. In the context of growing scepticism about further EU expansion, the response to those shortcomings has, on the whole, taken the form of a strengthening of Member States’ influence and control, a phenomenon that a recent SIEPS report characterises as “the creeping nationalisation of the EU enlargement policy”.

At the seminar, a panel of eminent experts will examine this development and its possible impact on the policy’s effectiveness. The panellists will also discuss more broadly the challenges of the current enlargement process, and its future perspectives.

Introduction of the SIEPS report
Christophe Hillion, Senior Researcher, SIEPS; Professor of European Law, University of Leiden and guest Professor of European Integration Law, University of Stockholm

Discussion Panel
Mathilde Grammont, Adviser on enlargement issues, Permanent Representation of France to the European Union
Michael Leigh, Director General for Enlargement, Directorate-General Enlargement, European Commission
Alan Mayhew, Jean Monnet Professor, University of Sussex, Founder of  the Wider Europe Network, Special Adviser to the European Commission, and Adviser to the Polish and Ukrainian Governments 
Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Member of European Parliament, former chair of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee, vice-Chair Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly

Chair
Alan Mayhew, Jean Monnet Professor, University of Sussex, Founder of  the Wider Europe Network, Special Adviser to the European Commission, and Adviser to the Polish and Ukrainian Governments

Time: Monday 21 March, 14.00-17.00
Registration and coffee from 13.45
Venue: Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU, Square de Meeûs 30, 1000 Brussels

The seminar, which is held in English, is free of charge and open to the public. All participants will receive a copy of the report. Please note that the seminar takes place in Brussels.

Commentary: Alan Mayhew, member of the panel at the seminar, has given a comment on the report which is available below.

Comment by Alan Mayhew on the report 2010:6

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