BRUSSELS. Aug 28 (Interfax) - The European Union should tackle its enlargement problem to bolster ties and boost its might, European Council President Charles Michel said.
"It is time to move forward. There is still a lot of work to do. It will be difficult and sometimes painful. For the future member states and for the EU. To be credible, I believe we must talk about timing and homework," Michel told a strategic forum in Bled, Slovenia, on Monday.
"And I have a proposal. As we prepare the EU's next strategic agenda, we must set ourselves a clear goal. I believe we must be ready, on both sides, to enlarge by 2030," he said.
He said now was the time to "face the challenges with clarity and honesty." He recalled that the Western Balkans embarked on the path to the EU more than 20 years ago, and the EU summit in Thessaloniki in 2003 confirmed their membership prospects. "But the slow pace of this EU journey has disappointed many, both in the region and in the EU," Michel said.
He also spoke of EU wannabes Moldova and Ukraine, adding that the "same status awaits Georgia when they complete the necessary steps. So now enlargement is no longer a dream."
The 2030 enlargement prospect means these objectives should be reflected in the EU's next long-term budget in order to show the seriousness of the EU intention, boost reform and encourage everyone to work together, he said.
"We need to act on it. That is why EU leaders will discuss enlargement at our next European Council meetings. 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.
He listed Brussels' criteria for candidates: respect for EU values, rule of law, human rights, including those of minorities, an independent judiciary, and combatting corruption and organized crime.
Past bilateral conflicts should be addressed, he said. "There is no cooperation without reconciliation. And I must say it clearly: there is no room for past conflicts within the EU. [...] we need to make sure that past conflicts are not imported into the EU and used to block the accession of their neighbors and other future member states," Michel said.