EU Looks North: A New Partnership with Nordic Countries

Recent geopolitical developments – from Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine to US President Donald Trump’s antagonism toward NATO – are fueling support for EU accession in Greenland, Iceland, and Norway. While northern enlargement would not happen quickly, EU leaders should start laying the groundwork for it.

BRUSSELS – “There are 12 countries on the waiting list to become members of the European Union,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyensaid in April. Commission staff quickly reached out to her cabinet with a correction: there are only ten EU candidate countries, they noted, including Kosovo. But von der Leyen’s team responded that there was no mistake; Iceland and Norway are on her list. In fact, the accession of northern European countries to the EU is looking increasingly attractive to both sides.