The EU is an expansionist Empire. It has ambitions not only to get every country in Europe under its control but expand into Africa and Asia. It is a prototype for globalist government. Economic protectionism against those who are not members is a weapon they use to persuade people to join.
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-07-01/eu-wants-empire-brussels-plans-expand-middle-east-africa
Actually it was the UK that advocated the expansion east. the EU does not want to expand further - it’s rejecting even Serbia and other Balkan states accession.