1973 saw the then European Communities enlarge for the first time and increase its size from six to nine member states. Successive Mediterranean enlargements, an EFTA enlargement, enlargement eastwards and into the Western Balkans have since followed. And with eight candidate countries and two further applicants, the questions of whether, when, how and to include whom the EU should enlarge remain as salient as ever. The plenary provides an opportunity to reflect on 50 years of EU enlargement since the first accessions in 1973. Panellists will consider the key drivers of enlargement and how these have changed over time, the contribution of academic study to understanding of the dynamics of the process, the significance of enlargement for the development of the EU, and the current state of the EU debate on enlargement and the prospects for further expansion of the EU in the light of current and potential membership applications.

Speakers: Prof. John O’Brennan (Maynooth University), Dr. Barbara Lippert (SWP, Berlin), Prof. Helene Sjursen (ARENA, Oslo), Dr. Koen Slootmaeckers (City University, London)