Preparing for a wider Union

European Commission Press release Strasbourg, 06 Oct 2026 The European Commission has adopted a package on pre-enlargement policy reviews, setting out the policy orientations and actions needed to prepare the Union for future enlargements. As announced by President von der Leyen in her 2023 State of the Union address and as mandated by the European Council, the measures proposed today prepare the Union's governance, policies and budget for enlargement, while strengthening the protection of the Union's values and the rule of law.