EU enlargement is a strategic response to the evolving geopolitical reality and a vital investment in the Union’s security and stability, say Committee on Foreign Affairs MEPs in a report adopted on Wednesday by 44 votes in favor and 11 against, with 8 abstentions. Reaffirming that accession must remain merit-based and reversible, and that no country should be treated as part of a package, the Committee stresses that there can be no shortcuts on EU values and fundamental principles. Unsolved bilateral issues between EU members and candidates should be solved bilaterally, while they shouldn’t be used to block accession, according to the text. “The report adopted today identifies EU enlargement as a geopolitical priority, as a more unified Europe strengthens the Union’s global influence”, Rapporteur Austrevicius is quoted as saying in the EP’s press release.