Enlargement strategy and main challenges 2009-2010

The fifth enlargement of the EU has helped to consolidate democracy and the rule of law in Europe. It has enhanced economic opportunities and increased the weight of the EU in tackling global challenges such as climate change, competitiveness and the regulation and supervision of financial markets. Over the last five years, the enlarged EU has demonstrated its capacity to work together to address the important challenges it faces. Enlargement is one of the most effective foreign policy instruments of the EU. The European Union's current enlargement process takes place against the background of a deep and widespread recession. The crisis has affected both the EU and the enlargement countries. Over the same period, the EU has received three new applications for membership by Montenegro (December 2008), Albania (April 2009) and Iceland (July 2009). These applications further demonstrate the EU's power of attraction and its role in promoting stability, security and prosperity.