Ukraine and EU must collaborate for fundamental solutions by 2030, says Michel
Photo: President of the European Council, Charles Michel (Getty Images)
Both Ukraine and the EU must fulfill their part of the work regarding the further enlargement of the European Union by 2030, said the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, at a briefing.
"It is our duty on both sides to prepare for 2030. This does not mean that new members will automatically appear in 2030. It means that by 2030, we must be ready on both sides. It means that the EU must carry out the necessary reforms to ensure that we are influential, flexible, ready to act, and react when necessary from the EU's side," said Michel.
He also explained that candidate countries must do everything to convince that they adhere to European standards by 2030 so that fundamental decisions (regarding EU enlargement) can be made later.
Among the tasks that the EU has to accomplish by this deadline, he highlighted the reform of the decision-making mechanism in the EU: whether decisions should be made unanimously, by qualified majority, etc.
EU Enlargement
Earlier, President of the European Council Charles Michel suggested that the Western Balkans and other candidate countries for EU accession, as well as the bloc itself, should be ready for enlargement by 2030.
The European Commission also plans to make "substantial proposals" on EU enlargement in October of this year.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, stated that the previously mentioned year 2030 as the term for EU enlargement is considered only as a guideline. Due to Ukraine, this process will go faster.
