Charles Michel, European Council President announced that the European Union must prepare to welcome new member states by the year 2030. Speaking at a forum in the Slovenian lakeside resort of Bled, Michel emphasized that readiness for expansion is both ambitious and necessary.
"It shows our seriousness," Michel stated, as he outlined the EU's goals for the upcoming years.
In related news, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, previously expressed her support for initiating talks about Ukraine's EU membership by mid-December.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for Euro-Atlantic and European Integration, Olga Stefanishyna, mentioned that Ukrainian authorities would not be able to fully implement all seven recommendations issued by the European Commission regarding candidate status for EU membership before next October.