Introduction 1

Past Experience Shows That Enlargement Is a Positive-Sum Game 2

How The Next Enlargement Could Boost EU Competitiveness 3

  Making the EU Single Market Bigger and Stronger 4

  Nearshoring 5

  Retaining Talent in an Ageing Europe 6

  Expanding Europe's Digital Economy and Innovation Capacity 8

  Increasing Domestic Sources of Critical Raw Materials 9

  Improving Connectivity 10

  Enhancing Security as a Foundation of Competitiveness 12

Conclusions and Policy Recommendations 13

  Policy Recommendations 14