European Council President Charles Michel said the EU should prepare for enlargement by 2030. At a forum in the Slovenian lake resort of Bled on Monday, Michel stated the EU would need to implement some reforms to be ready. “I believe we must be ready by 2030 to enlarge,” Michel said. “This is ambitious but necessary and shows that we are serious.”
The Western Balkan states, including Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, are in different stages of joining the EU. The EU gave candidate status last year to Moldova and Ukraine. Georgia is awaiting the same status. Michel stated that future member states must implement reforms to ensure an independent judiciary, fight organized crime and corruption, and align their foreign policy with EU member states.
Michel urged all aspiring EU members to resolve their conflicts before joining. “Past conflicts must not be imported,” he said. The European Council will discuss enlargement at its next meeting.
He stated that the European Commission’s enlargement package, set to be released in October, may provide additional information on the gradual integration process that allows potential members to reap the benefits of participating in select EU institutions and policies before full membership.
