Candidate Countries Commend EESC for Elevating Civil Society in Enlargement Process

At an Enlargement Forum hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), civil society representatives from candidate countries commended the Committee’s Enlargement Candidate Members initiative as a vital tool for shaping their countries’ European integration process and bolstering public support for EU accession.

At its plenary session on 17 July, the EESC held an Enlargement Forum focusing on Building an Inclusive Future in the Enlarged EU: The Role of Social Dialogue, Civil Society and Youth Engagement. The event opened with a high-level debate featuring Maida Gorčević, Minister for European Affairs in Montenegro, Orhan Murtezani, Minister for European Affairs in North Macedonia, and Antoine Kasel, Director for ‘Labour Mobility and International Affairs' at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.

The forum brought together approximately 75 representatives from social partners and civil society organisations across the EU candidate countries. It formed part of the EESC’s pioneering Enlargement Candidate Members Initiative (ECM), which enables civil society organisations from candidate countries to participate in the process of drafting opinions and engage in EESC debates. The project’s success has already led to additional financial backing by the European Commission for its reinforcement and permanent implementation.

Participants recognised the initiative’s potential to amplify civil society voices from candidate countries in key European dialogues. They emphasised that enlargement is more than just a technical exercise: it involves democratic reform that cannot happen behind closed doors.

EESC President Oliver Röpke said: ‘We are trying to build a successful enlargement that puts civil society in the driving seat. Enlargement is not simply a geopolitical strategy: it is a promise to uphold democracy, rights and dignity for all. If we want to keep that promise, then civil society must be more than just a box to tick. It must be part of the foundation we build on.’

Maida Gorčević, Minister for European Affairs of Montenegro, said that her country was aiming to close all chapters by the end of 2026, and potentially to join the EU by 2028. She highlighted the close cooperation between the government and civil society organisations in the accession process. ‘Citizens are more likely to support reforms when they see members of their civil society organisations actively engaged in the government policy’, stressed Ms Gorčević. ‘This is becoming a truly shared national project, and this is our strongest asset when we speak about the EU accession process.’ 

She added that in Montenegro, civil society participation has been institutionalised through their membership in key bodies such as the Rule of Law Council, the Supervisory Board for the Reform Agenda under the Growth Plan, and the Council for Cooperation with NGOs, as well as through their membership in all negotiating working groups.
 ‘All of these bodies are highly active, and I must say that Montenegro has a truly strong civil society sector — something we should be proud of’,  Gorčević concluded.

On the other hand, Orhan Murtezani, Minister for European Affairs in North Macedonia, described his country’s story as complex but transformative. ‘It is not easy to wait in line for 20 years, but this could be the example of resilience and persistence in achieving the final goal’, he added. Despite the accession process progressing at a snail’s pace, 65-70% of citizens still see their future in the EU.

Mr Murtezani mentioned that his government had taken note of the key role of civil society in this process and had adopted a specific strategy for cooperation with social partners and full integration of civil society in policymaking. ‘Nurturing social dialogue and empowering civil society is our objective’, he said. ‘Reforms become more sustainable if they have a sense of shared vision.’

Speakers throughout the Forum echoed a common message: successful enlargement must deliver tangible and specific results for the general public, especially young people, many of whom have grown disillusioned. It is crucial for them to be actively involved in the process, as they are often the first to feel the consequences of stalled reforms or diminishing civic space.

Moved by the optimism and enthusiasm shown by the representatives of the candidate countries, Antoine Kasel of the European Commission said: ‘Talking to young people is key in this process, as building social dialogue and dialogue with the EU institutions is a matter of trust. Enlargement is the way to stabilise the continent, which is strongly needed in the context of the current geopolitical threats.’

EU accession:A catalyst for stronger social dialogue

In many candidate and partner countries, civil and social dialogue remains fragmented, in the absence of robust institutional frameworks. This undermines the development of coherent, inclusive public policies.

The EESC opinion The importance of institutionalising civil and social dialogue in EU candidate and partner countries, adopted following the discussions in the Forum, calls for a genuine civil and social dialogue which must be a central pillar of the enlargement process.

As the EESC member and rapporteur for the opinion Ionuţ Sibianpointed out, ‘Without clear structures, civil society and social partners are unevenly involved in decision-making, weakening trust in democratic processes and reducing citizen engagement’.

‘Strengthening genuine civil and social dialogue in candidate countries is essential for building resilient democratic institutions and a competitive economy’, stressed the second rapporteur for the opinion Decebal-Ștefăniță Pădure.

The opinion, Mr Pădure added, sends a strong message that EU integration should not be reduced to meeting formal criteria — it must include the effective participation of social partners and organised civil society in decision-making processes, as ‘this is the only way to ensure sustainable growth and a truly functional democracy in future Member States’.

Dumitru Fornea, the third rapporteur for the opinion, stressed that a structured and properly institutionalised civil and social dialogue is essential for ensuring stability, institutional memory, economic development and social cohesion in candidate and partner countries.

‘By promoting and supporting such institutional constructions, the European Union and Member States can strengthen their role as a reliable partner and support democratic processes in these countries, contributing to smoother and more sustainable integration into the European family within the enlargement processes, added Mr Fornea.

Additional quotes

Lucie Studničná, President of the EESC Workers’ Group, said: ‘Strong social dialogue, robust trade union involvement and collective bargaining structures are at the heart of our inclusive future together. In the candidate countries, we must support efforts to strengthen trade union rights and ensure that collective bargaining is not only protected, but encouraged.’

Lidija Pavić-Rogošić, Vice-President of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group, emphasised that structured civil and social dialogue allows everyone to be heard, including the most vulnerable. ‘Structured dialogue fosters transparency, accountability and participatory governance, which are core values of the EU and the United Nations. Institutionalising this dialogue is a condition for achieving sustainable development and just transitions to a greener and more digital future, not only in the EU but also in its candidate and partner countries.’