Granada: EU Leaders Say Enlargement is Geostrategic Investment in Peace

At the meeting in Granada, which ended on Friday, EU leaders said enlargement was a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability, and prosperity.

“It is a driver for improving the economic and social conditions of European citizens, reducing disparities between countries, and must foster the values on which the Union is founded,” it is added in the Declaration.

However, 2030 as a year for new enlargement isn’t referred to anywhere in the document. The summit once again showed the different visions of EU leaders about the manner of enlargement. French President Macron says he wants enlargement to take place sooner, but for now, EU members haven’t made a decision.

On the other hand, Dutch PM Rutte considers that one shouldn’t rush. Commenting on the 2030 issue, he points out he disagrees with setting dates and deadlines, that is, the question should be whether candidates are ready to join the EU. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, too, believes enlargement should be a process based exclusively on merits.