EU countries must be ready for 'new memberships': Council President
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, addressed the European Union (EU) countries and told them to be ready for the admission of new members by 2030.
The countries of the European Union must be ready for the admission of new members by 2030, Charles Michel, President of the Council of the European Union, said at a forum in Slovenia.
"The European Union must be ready to accept new members by 2030. This is a necessary condition," Michel emphasized, referring to membership applications.
Michel also stated that reforms should be made in the domestic policies of the countries wishing to become a member of the European Union on issues such as the independent judiciary, and the fight against organized crime and corruption, and said that some innovations should be implemented for the enlargement of the EU.
MEMBERSHIP OF 6 COUNTRIES TO BE DISCUSSED
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia are at different stages in the process of accession to the European Union. The European Commission is expected to organize a meeting on the acceptance of countries wishing to become members of the Union next October.
EU MEMBERSHIP OF TÜRKİYE
In 1987, Türkiye applied for full membership in the EU, was accepted as a candidate in 1999, and started full membership negotiations in 2005. After 18 years of ups and downs in the negotiation process, the resolution of the crisis over Sweden's NATO membership has put Türkiye back into an optimistic period in EU relations. Both Ankara and Brussels and European capitals made positive statements about the future of relations.
'POSITIVE OPINION PREVAILS'
On his return from the NATO summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan answered journalists’ questions about Türkiye’s EU membership.
"Will a new page be opened in relations with the EU?" asked journalists on the plane.
"A positive opinion prevails. We will accelerate the negotiations on updating the Customs Union, which will have a multiplier effect on the Turkish economy. I believe that we will also make progress in visa liberalization," Erdogan said.
At the EU summit in June, the Union requested Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, and the European Commission to prepare a report on Türkiye.
The report emphasized that Türkiye remains a candidate country in the EU accession process, a NATO ally, and a key partner in security, trade, economic relations, and migration, while Türkiye is expected to respect democratic values, the rule of law and human rights, and to comply with EU laws, principles and obligations.
Source: Ihlas News Agency
