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EU chief Charles Michel has called for the EU to be ready to accept new members by 2030.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia, where leaders from the Western Balkans gathered yesterday, the European Council President said: \u201cEnlargement is no longer a dream. It is time to move forward.”<\/p>\n
Eight countries – Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Moldova, Ukraine, and Bosnia and Herzegovina – currently hold candidate status.<\/p>\n
But for many in the Western Balkans the process has stalled, while it has been put on hold for Turkey.<\/p>\n
Ukraine, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina have been granted candidate status since Vladimir Putin launched his brutal invasion of Kyiv.<\/p>\n
Mr Michel admitted the biggest challenge could be convincing Europeans.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe need to make sure we have the hearts of the people with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Michel added: \u201cThere is still a lot of work to do. It will be difficult. I believe we must be ready – on both sides – by 2030 to enlarge.<\/p>\n
“This is ambitious, but necessary. It shows that we are serious.”<\/p>\n
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