EU Commission chief envisages EU with ‘30+’ members

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) – The EU Commission chief on Wednesday urged the bloc to proceed with enlargement, calling it the “best investment in peace, security, and prosperity for all the continent.”

In her traditional State of the Union speech addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Ursula von der Leyen envisioned an EU made up “of over 30 countries,” a bump up from the current 27.

She stressed that the EU must answer the “call of history” and “match” candidate countries’ determination to implement reforms in order to be able to join the bloc.

“The future of Ukraine is in our union. The future of the Western Balkans is in our union. The future of Moldova is in our union,” von der Leyen asserted.

She announced that the European Commission will publish pre-enlargement policy reviews on the possible overhaul of EU institutions, policies, and budget as the EU also needs change to become “fit for enlargement.”

The EU executive body will also include candidate countries in its Rule of Law Report to “identify progress and concerns."

Recalling the previous great round of enlargement in 2004, when 10 countries joined the bloc, von der Leyen said she wants the EU to “look forward to the next European Day of Welcomes and the next economic success stories.”

Last month, European Council President Charles Michel reiterated the bloc's commitment to further enlargement by 2030, saying the EU should be ready for new members. ​​​​​​​