2024-04-30 19:37:03
The invasion of Russian forces in Ukraine in 2022 has given a new impetus to the European Union’s drive to accept new members, European Council President Charles Michel said today, quoted by Reuters.
Michel expressed hope that the EU and the candidates for membership will be ready for another enlargement by 2030.
The President of the European Council said this ahead of the 20th anniversary of the EU’s major enlargement in 2004, when 10 countries joined the European Union.
“History called for European countries to come together,” Michel told reporters of the enlargement in 2004. “Twenty years later, we face a similar challenge as there is geopolitical chaos, including over Russia’s war against Ukraine. And facing in the face of this chaos, the geopolitical strategy is to unite again,” he pointed out.
Among the countries that are currently seeking to join are six Balkan countries, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, notes Reuters, quoted by BTA.
“Because of the war started by Russia against Ukraine, there is a new impetus, a revival of the EU’s enlargement strategy,” said Charles Michel.
“This is a challenge. But what is the alternative? The alternative would be a terrible, irresponsible mistake on the part of the EU,” he said, calling on the EU and candidate countries to carry out by 2030 the reforms needed for the bloc’s new enlargement.