Six Countries Undergo the Joining Process, the European Union is Said to be Ready to Accept New Members: Who are They?

President of the European Council Charles Michel. (Wikimedia Commons/European Parliament)

JAKARTA - The European Union must be ready to accept new member states by 2030, European Council President Charles Michel said at a forum in Slovenia Monday.

"I believe we should be ready by 2030 to expand it," said Michel, quoted by Reuters, August 29.

"This is ambitious, but necessary. It shows that we are serious," continued Michel.

It is known that six Western Balkan countries, Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, are at different stages in the process of joining the bloc.

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

Michel said that in order to join the bloc, future member states would have to implement reforms to ensure an independent judiciary, fight organized crime and corruption, and align their foreign policies with those of EU member states.

Furthermore, he also urged all candidates to resolve their bilateral conflicts, before they join the European Union.

"You need to make sure that past conflicts are not brought to the EU," he said.

Michel added, the European Council will discuss the expansion of its members at the next meeting.

He said the European Commission's expansion package, which is expected to be implemented in October, could provide further details on progressive integration that could allow future members to experience the benefits of full participation in some EU institutions and policies, before formally becoming a member. the block.

Michel also added that the European Union also needs to implement several reforms so that it is ready to expand.