European Union looking to change rules to speed up enlargement

(EU 2025 Enlargement Package banner, fair use)

COGwriter

The European Union wants to expand. And it is looking at changing its rules to allow for it to happen more quickly:

The EU’s enlargement dilemma

28 May 2026

The European Union is edging towards the biggest rethink of its enlargement policy in decades as Russia’s war in Ukraine, fears of institutional paralysis and growing frustration in the Western Balkans force European leaders to confront a question once considered largely theoretical: how to expand the bloc without weakening it.

Officials are debating models that would have been politically taboo only a few years ago — including stripping new member states of veto rights for a probationary period, creating forms of “associate membership” without voting powers, and introducing reversible safeguards to punish democratic backsliding after accession.

For supporters of enlargement, bringing Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans closer to the EU has become a geopolitical imperative in an era of confrontation with Russia and uncertainty over US commitments to European security. But many existing member states remain deeply wary of importing instability, corruption or illiberal politics into a bloc already struggling to make decisions among 27 governments. The result is an increasingly intense argument inside Europe about whether the traditional accession model still works.

“The enlargement of the European Union is a geopolitical necessity,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote recently in a letter to EU leaders, widely quoted by media in the Western Balkans. But the process, he added, takes “much too long”. https://www.intellinews.com/the-eu-s-enlargement-dilemma-445388/?source=north-macedonia

EU enlargement: Is the bloc ready to welcome new members?

27 May 2026

“Enlargement is the priority for the European Union, and if our candidates deliver, then we have to deliver, too,” Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels earlier this month.

As proof that the EU is moving beyond rhetoric, Kos pointed to the fact that for the first time in 17 years, the bloc in April established a working group to draft the accession treaty for a candidate country: Montenegro. …

“The geopolitical need for enlargement is recognized by all member states,” said Steven Blockmans of the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).

“But it is always coupled with two things: On the one hand, a merits-based approach, whereby candidate countries are assessed on their reforms and where no shortcuts are being offered, and secondly, the need for the European Union to change its policy and governance methods,” he told DW.

Is the existing accession model fit for purpose?

The debate in Brussels is, therefore, increasingly focused not only on enlargement itself, but also on whether the bloc’s traditional accession model is still fit for purpose.

Commissioner Marta Kos acknowledged that the EU is still using a methodology developed four decades ago.

“What we are now discussing with the member states is whether gradual integration principles, which we are mainly using in the single market, could also be moved to other areas, especially security,” she said. …

In a recent proposal on EU enlargement, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz … suggested giving Western Balkan countries and Moldova privileged access to the EU single market, observer status in EU bodies and gradual integration into decision-making processes in order to accelerate their path toward membership.

Ideas like these have been circulating in Brussels and European capitals for years. …

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia have all suggested they would accept temporary veto limitations if that helped unlock accession.

Montenegro as a test case

Montenegro, however, does not want delays or transitional arrangements.

Analysts say it is likely to be the last country to enter the EU under the bloc’s current rules before any deeper institutional reform takes place.

At the same time, both Blockmans and Subotic believe Montenegro’s accession could serve as a testing ground for some of the new enlargement mechanisms currently being debated in Brussels. https://www.dw.com/en/eu-enlargement-is-the-bloc-ready-to-welcome-new-members/a-77319025

Montenegro was formally part of the Yugoslavia and basically also Serbia.

Last year, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia and Moldova all joined the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) which is involved with cross-border use of the Euro (see SEPA and BRICS+ pushing against US dollar dominance–might the Euro rise to dominance?).

The EU wants to be more powerful in the world geopolitically, militarily, and economically. That is part of why it wants to expand.

We know that Europe will reorganize per Revelation 17:12-13–the proposals to change accession into the EU may be considered as a type of forerunner to that.

The fact is that the EU wants to dominate trade, which the Bible points to a power in Europe doing (cf. Revelation 17 & 18), and the EU wants to be larger.

Many EU leaders want the rest of the Balkan nations:

The enlargement to the Western Balkans is widely considered a key foreign policy tool and strategic priority in the EU as a whole, to the point that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen referred it as “reunification of Europe” in her last State of the Union speech. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/11/03/taking-the-pulse-of-eu-enlargement-at-the-euronews-summit-newsletter

Reunification of Europe?

Basically the only times Europe was unified was under ancient Rome and the so-called ‘Holy Roman Empire.’

Let me add that in 2024, the Chancellor of Germany stated, “The European Union is only complete with the Western Balkans as part of it.” Expansion of the European Union is the plan as confirmed by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (see EU meets with Balkan leaders on the hope of expansion at Berlin Process Summit 2024).

Consider also that it was reported: EU leaders still eye Balkans for geography, minerals, and military reasons.

Most of the nations in the Western Balkan region have waited for a long time to be in the EU, and many expected that process would be completed–or at least much further along than it is by now.

Probably at least partially because of the delays to get into the EU, Serbia has made deals with Russia and the Russian-dominated Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) (e.g. Iran praises Eurasian Economic Union, Serbia enters its deal with the EAEU, and China’s connection: Is the time of the Gentiles approaching?) as well as China (see China’s President says relationship with Serbia is ‘Ironclad’).

The EU wants the Balkans, not only because they are part of Europe but because they do not want Serbia to remain an ally of Russia. The ethnic Serbs (which are also in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina), fought against the Axis powers (which included Germany, Bulgaria, and Italy) in WWII. The Germans would prefer to have some control over Serbia itself and do not want to fight the Serbs in the future. Serbia, itself, took another step towards the EU last year when it elected to purchase military planes from France instead of Russia (https://www.ft.com/content/fa26d185-6b54-481a-b5b8-1ff41a0ab724). The EU also wants rare earth and other minerals in the Western Balkans.

Consider that Daniel prophesied that the European Beast power will expand to the south and the east:

9 And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. 10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. 11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. (Daniel 8:9-12).

And while the above had a past fulfillment, this prophecy seems to be dual (compare with Daniel 11:27-39). The European Union has mainly expanded south and east of the Benelux nations (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)–which is where it initially formed.

The Balkans are south and east of the Benelux nations.

Currently, approximately 450 million people are now under a new, single (though not completely united) government, called the European Union, headquartered in Brussels.

The European Union currently has 27 member states. If you were to add the six Western Balkan areas that want to be in, plus Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, that brings the total to 36. Plus there is Turkey who wants to join, but that is another matter.

Now there are groups (such as PCG and LCG) that tend to insist that the final European Beast power will only have ten or eleven nations. They look to be wrong, and thus look to be caught off guard unexpectedly (cf. Luke 21:34) if the final Beast power has more than 11 nations (See also Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?).

In the old Radio Church of God, the late evangelist Dr. Hoeh taught that this little horn of Daniel 8 was the power that would become the final King of the North:

Turn in your Bible to verse 9: “And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.” …

The King of the North

The little horn in Daniel 8 is none other than the LAST KING of one of the four divisions of Alexander’s Empire. He is, in fact, the final “King of the North” described in Daniel 11. (Hoeh H. The 2300 Days. Plain Truth, August 1965)

The European Union has demonstrated a history and willingness to enlarge–and it is interested in the Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia.

Of course even now, not all in the Balkans, Moldova, and Georgia want to be part of the European Union. Some prefer to be in Russia’s Eurasian Union (though this is likely diminishing because of Russia’s ‘special military operation’ into Ukraine).

So based on Daniel 8, Balkan interest in the EU and the EU interest in the Balkans, it is likely that the Western Balkans will, at least for a time, support the coming Beast power in Europe.

Notice also the following prophecy:

10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. 11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition. (Revelation 17:10-11)

The EU looks to be the sixth king above.

Related to the European Union in prophecy, the Continuing Church of God put together this sermon on its ContinuingCOG channel:

Here is a link to the sermon video: European Union & 7 Kings of Revelation 17:10.

Yes, I expect that the EU will expand and have additional nations, such as those in the Balkans. Notice, however, also the following:

41 Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. 43 As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. (Daniel 2:41-43)

Partially because of that prophecy, as well as some written by Jeremiah, I have long believed that various nations who will temporarily support the coming European Beast power will turn against it.

Some that become disillusioned/disappointed by the EU are likely to ultimately back out of it–and that may include Balkan countries like Serbia.

That being said, enlargement is a goal of the EU–and prophetically, we know that the Beast power will be large.

We also have the following video:

14:17

EU Enlargement of the Beast?

The European Union recently approved its “2025 Enlargement Package”. This means the European Union is continuing to give consideration for inclusion of other countries into its political, military, and economic bloc. Why would the European Union want to do this? The saying “Might makes Right” come to mind. Is it possible the inclusion of the population of other countries along with the increased population, trade, and economic clout would increase the might of, not only the European Union, but also power and economies of the nations being included? Has the growth of Europe starting with the Benelux nations already primarily expanded towards the south and the east such as is prophesied for the ‘little horn’ of Daniel 8? Does the EU want the rest of the Balkan nations, which are also basically south and east of Benelux, to be part of it? Will this new Union really be stronger in the long run? If new nations do join the European Union, will they remain joined? So, who cares if other nations join the European Union? Who cares if the EU will be stronger or not? Well, what if Biblical prophecies were being fulfilled? Would anyone care then? Would it matter to you if the European Union plays a major role in Biblical prophecy? What if the European Union was the sixth king of Rev 17:10 would you care then? What is Europe will reorganize and be controlled by the ‘666’ Beast? Would you be concerned? You should be. Here’s the link to our free eBook, “Lost Tribes and Prophecies”, offered in this video that offers much more information on the European Union, the King of the North, and the Beast of the Sea.  If you don’t understand the role of the European Union in Bible prophecy, you need to watch this video. The European Union and the Beast of the Sea; listen as Dr. Thiel shines the light of Biblical prophecy on current world events. The time grows shorter.

Here is a link to our video: EU Enlargement of the Beast?

The European Union wants to enlarge.

Europe is moving towards its prophesied destiny.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is are links to related videos: European history and the Bible, Europe In Prophecy, The End of European Babylon, and Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.
The European Union and the Seven Kings of Revelation 17 Could the European Union be the sixth king that now is, but is not? Here is a link to the related sermon video: European Union & 7 Kings of Revelation 17:10.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here are links to two related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For and The Future King of the North.
The Great Monarch: Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Is the ‘Great Monarch’ of Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies endorsed or condemned by the Bible? Two sermons of related interest are also available: Great Monarch: Messiah or False Christ? and Great Monarch in 50+ Beast Prophecies.
Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2033 or 2035 or? There is also a video titled: When Does the 6000 Years End? 2031? 2035? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
The Times of the Gentiles Has there been more than one time of the Gentiles? Are we in it now or in the time of Anglo-America? What will the final time of the Gentiles be like? A related sermon is available and is titled: The Times of the Gentiles.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;  When Will the End of the Age Come?;  Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.