“The European Union must be ready to admit new member states by 2030,” European Council President Charles Michel told a forum in the Slovenian lake resort of Bled on Monday.

“We will take a stand on the opening of negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and I also expect Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia to be back on the table,” Michel said.

“The six Western Balkan states – Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia – are at different stages in the process of joining the bloc. Last year Moldova and Ukraine were given candidate status. Georgia is waiting to receive that status as well,” he went on.

Michel said that, in order to join the bloc, future member states would have to implement reforms to ensure an independent judiciary, fight organized crime and corruption, and align their foreign policy with EU member states. He urged all aspirants to resolve their bilateral conflicts before they join the European Union.

He noted that the European Commission’s enlargement package, which is expected in October, could give further details of the progressive integration that could enable future members to feel the benefits of fully participating in some EU institutions and policies before formally becoming a member of the bloc.