Charles Michel: European Union should be ready to accept new members by 2030

Michel also called on the EU to prepare for enlargement.

European Council President Charles Michel said the union should be ready to accept new members by 2030. Michel said at a forum held in the Slovenian lake resort of Bled on Monday, that the European Union should be ready to accept new member states by 2030.

Charles Michel - Europe

"I believe we should be ready to expand by 2030. It's ambitious but necessary. It will show that we are serious about it," Michel said in his speech. said.

Six Western Balkan countries Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are at different stages in the process of joining the union.

Last year, Moldova and Ukraine were granted candidate status. Georgia is also waiting to receive this status.

Michel added that to join the union, future member states must implement reforms that will ensure an independent judiciary, fight organized crime and corruption, and align their foreign policies with EU member states.

Michel also urged all candidates to resolve their bilateral disputes before joining the European Union:

"The issue of enlargement will be on the agenda for discussion at the next European Council meeting. You have to make sure that past conflicts are not reflected in the EU. This is the essence of our Union."

Michel said that the European Commission's enlargement package, expected in October, could begin to take steps that will allow future members to feel the benefits of full participation in some EU institutions and policies before they officially become members of the bloc.

Michel noted that the EU itself needs to implement some reforms in order to be ready for enlargement and pointed out that the responsibility belongs to both parties.

source:euronews