European Council President Michel said on the 28th at the Brad Strategic Forum in Slovenia that the EU should be prepared to admit Western Balkan countries as member states by 2030. Michel delivered a keynote speech at the forum that day, stating that the path from Western Balkan countries to the European Union began more than 20 years ago, but the slow process of accession has disappointed many people in the region and the European Union. The European Union and the Western Balkan countries must discuss the timeline and work required for accession in order to have credibility. He suggested setting a clear goal for the EU's next strategic agenda. Both the European Union and the Western Balkan countries must be prepared to achieve EU expansion by 2030. Michelle said that in order to join the European Union, future member states must implement reforms to ensure judicial independence, combat organized crime and corruption, and align foreign policies with EU member states. He also urged all countries wishing to join the EU to resolve bilateral conflicts before joining. He said that the European Council will discuss EU enlargement at its next meeting. The European Commission is expected to release an expansion package in October, outlining the specific details of joining the EU. The EU currently has 27 member states. The Western Balkan countries include Serbia, Croatia, Albania, Northern Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and others. Croatia joined the European Union in 2013, while other Western Balkan countries have started the process of joining the EU to varying degrees, but progress has been slow. (New News Agency)