European Commission to present proposals for expanding community to EU countries

EU enlargement by 2030 is doable, but only if the candidates and the bloc itself “redouble their efforts”, Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi told EURACTIV, adding that the European Commission plans to make “substantial proposals” in October, Report informs.

Várhelyi announced that in October, when the European Commission is expected to present its annual progress reports for all countries in the bloc’s accession process, the EU executive will come out with “substantial proposals”.

“We are ready to come forward even with bold proposals – new ones – and with new ideas,” Várhelyi said.

A first substantial discussion between EU leaders, after several rounds of talks in various formats earlier this year, is expected when they meet for an informal summit under the rotating Spanish presidency in Granada in early October.

Asked whether he expects these leaders’ talks to yield some concrete results, Várhelyi said: “First, let’s make a serious offer from the EU available and let’s get to a decision in December after member states have time to reflect properly.”

“This European Commission will do everything to prepare the European Council to make the decisions, but then we need them to actually make the decisions,” he added.

Asked whether Michel’s 2030 target would be feasible, Várhelyi said “everything is feasible what we as the EU want to do”, but stressed we should not insist on a specific timeline.