La tenuta dei valori fondanti dell'Unione europea alla prova dell'allargamento

This article examines the relationship between 'widening' and 'deepening', starting from the premise that the former should not be understood as undermining the latter, provided it is carried out with due regard to its impact, and appropriate institutional reforms are implemented where necessary. In particular, the paper highlights that the close link between the accession of new Member States and safeguarding the Union's founding values means the renewed momentum in enlargement policy has reignited the debate on institutional reform. This has resulted in positions that are not always fully aligned among the institutions.