According to the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the European Union should be ready for expansion by 2030. "The expansion of the European Union is no longer a dream," he said at the international strategic forum held in the city of Bled, Slovenia.

Charles Michel argued: “As we speak, the people of Ukraine are heroically defending their country. The Kremlin is not only attacking a free and sovereign neighbor. The Kremlin is attacking all that we believe in — freedom, democracy, prosperity, and cooperation. So, in June last year, we awarded candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova. And the same status awaits Georgia when they complete the necessary steps. So now, enlargement is no longer a dream. It is time to move forward”.

He also said: “To be credible, I believe we must talk about timing and homework. 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 — by 2030 to enlarge. This means that the EU's next long-term budget will need to include our common goals. This is ambitious but necessary. It shows that we are serious. It will build momentum. It will give a transformative boost to reforms, and it will generate interest, investments, and better understanding, and encourage us all to work together”.

Michel added, "The window of opportunity is open. 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”.

In October 2023, it will be known whether the European Commission will issue a recommendation for granting Georgia the status of a candidate for EU membership. After the conclusion of the European Commission, by the end of 2023, the leaders of the European Council will evaluate the progress of Georgia and other countries.

Last year, the European Union granted Ukraine and Moldova the status of candidates for EU membership and Georgia the European perspective. It set 12-point preconditions Georgia needs to meet to obtain the candidate status.