The European Commission’s new strategy, the full plan for EU enlargement and reforms! Albania is also included

The European Commission has officially presented Communication COM(2026) 705 final, titled “Preparing for a larger Union”, a document that sets out the strategic roadmap for the internal reform of the European Union’s institutions, policies and budget, in view of the future enlargement.

The document addresses a series of changes related to the way decisions are taken in the EU, the rule of law, the accession process of candidate countries, gradual integration before accession, as well as the way the future enlargement will be financed.

1. Governance reform and the move to qualified majority voting (QMV)

The European Commission proposes using the passerelle clauses to replace the principle of unanimity with Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) in several key fields, including international sanctions, foreign and security policy, human rights and measures against tax fraud.

As regards accession negotiations, it is recommended that the EU Council use QMV for taking intermediate decisions, such as opening clusters. Meanwhile, the final decision on a country’s accession will continue to require unanimity.

To protect the essential national interests of the member states, the document provides for the use of safeguard mechanisms, including the “Emergency brake” and the Ioannina mechanism.

Moreover, the EU Treaties allow the possibility of moving to a smaller College of Commissioners, with two thirds of the number of member states, if the number of EU member countries reaches 30.

2. The rule of law, the 15-year clause and postponement of accession

Respect for the rule of law and democracy remains anchored in the “Fundamentals” cluster, which is opened first and closed last during the negotiation process.

To prevent democratic backsliding after EU accession, future accession treaties will contain a 15-year institutional safeguard clause after accession.

This clause will make it possible to suspend voting rights in the Council or to take other measures in the event of serious violations of Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU).

If serious backsliding is identified during pre-accession monitoring, the document provides for a “postponement clause”, as a last resort to postpone the accession date.

Also, the new member countries will be obliged to participate in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) from the day of accession.

3. Gradual integration and roadmaps for candidate countries

The document reinforces the concept of step-by-step integration, enabling candidate countries to benefit from European Union mechanisms and programmes even before full accession.

This includes early inclusion in fields such as the Single Market, SEPA, the “Roam Like at Home” scheme, as well as the Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ research and education programmes.

In the 2026 enlargement package, the European Commission will present indicative roadmaps for the countries most advanced in the integration process, among them Montenegro, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine.

After the conclusion of negotiations, candidates will be invited to take part as observers in expert meetings, in the agencies and in the work of the EU, in order to become familiar with the institutional functioning of the European Union before official entry.

4. The MFF 2028–2034 budget and financing conditionality

Financial preparations for EU enlargement will be supported by the Multiannual Financial Framework MFF 2028–2034 and the new Global Europe instrument.

On June 30, 2026, the European Commission presented the first financial package specific to Montenegro, which serves as a model for how pre-accession financing will move into the National and Regional Partnership Plan after a country enters the EU.

Disbursement of funds will remain strictly conditional on implementing key reforms, sound financial management and protecting EU funds from corruption.