Currently, All five countries in the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova, are waiting to join the European Union. Beyond that Turkey itselfA candidate country whose accession negotiations stalled in 2018.
According to Charles Michael, Enlargement of the European Union is “very ambitious, but necessary. It shows that we are serious.”He said in a meeting with the leaders of the Western Balkan countries.
“If we want to be credible, we have to talk about a timetable,” he added.
Despite the fact that a debate on the enlargement of the European Union is foreseen on the agenda of the next summit – where it is to be discussed by the leaders of the 27 member states – some of the candidate countries of the Western Balkans have spent more time in the negotiations. Ten years.
“Slow progress towards the EU has left many people in the region and the EU disillusioned,” Charles Michael agreed.
The next EU-Western Balkans summit is expected to take place “simultaneously with the European Council” between 14 and 15 December.Announced during the event.
when is the time Accession negotiations should be opened with Ukraine and Moldova – countries that gained candidate status in June 2022 – months after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The European Commission is expected to present its recommendations on the issue in the autumn.
“Integrating new members into our Union will not be easy. It will affect our policies, our programs and their budgets. It will require political reform and political courage,” he admitted.
This was stated by the President of the European Council “Totally Agree” With French President Emmanuel Macron About the need for the EU to reform itself before the next enlargement.
Recommends “Gradual integration” is a new approachDecided by 27 member states, it allows candidate countries that prepare themselves to participate in certain European policies, such as defense and security, even if they do not meet all the conditions for joining the federation.
w/ agencies
