Brussels, 4 October 2023 (MIA) – European Council President Charles Michel said in an interview with Portugal’s Lusa news agency that he expected decisions at the December European Summit on some of the Western Balkan countries in regard to enlargement, as reports from the EU executive on the candidate countries’ compliance with reform requirements are expected to be published in the coming weeks.

It will then be up to the European Council to see what the Commission’s report will put on the table in December, Michel said, adding that given the fact that on Friday in Granada the whole European Council “will discuss the future of the EU given this enlargement, it is a very powerful signal.”

According to MIA’s Brussels correspondent, Michel referred in the interview to his statement during Bled Strategic Forum, when he set himself the goal of 2030 for EU enlargement.

“I maintain this goal and this deadline. This is clear to everyone. Why is this date important? Because it’s a clear incentive for all of us to prepare and accelerate our efforts. Without a date, there was a common goal, but it was easy to procrastinate and not make the necessary decisions,” the European Council President noted.

Michel said that the EU leaders should give the green light to opening formal accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova at the December European summit.

“December will be an important moment. It will be a difficult meeting, a difficult European Council. I wouldn’t underestimate the challenges... The December European Council should take some decisions on Ukraine, on Moldova, and on whether we open negotiations,” Michel said.

According to him, the EU gave clear signals in recent months when it decided to give Ukraine a candidate country status.

“We sent a clear message not only from the European Council but also from many individual leaders that we need to speed up the process and make the necessary efforts,” Michel said.

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