European leaders debate today on the possible next enlargement of the EU

After the Summit of the European Political Community yesterday, the Andalusian city of Grenade welcomes today the European Council meeting in which the leaders of the Twenty-seven will address, among other issues, the future enlargement of the EU, the migration issue and the strategic autonomy of Europe.

According to the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, today’s informal European summit has “significant importance”, since it will set the strategic course of the European Union expanded to new members and its priorities for the coming years. “This meeting is of significant importance: not only will we engage in a constructive dialogue on the most pressing issues currently facing our Union, such as migration, but this meeting marks the beginning of an important process of reflection on the future priorities of our Union” Michel stated in his letter inviting European leaders to the summit.

The result of this reflection process will be reflected in the coming months in the strategic agenda for the 2024-2029 legislative period, which will begin after the European elections at the beginning of next June.

The Granada event should serve, Michel assures, to “look forward, identify the future challenges that we will have to face in this changing geopolitical environment.” “Beyond the strategic agenda, an inherent part of this discussion relates to the future of an enlarged European Union and the consequences that this expansion may entail, both for us and for our aspiring members,” he highlights.

Yesterday the third meeting of the European Political Community was held where leaders debated issues related to peace and security, the energy crisis and connectivity and mobility in Europe. One of the protagonists of the day was the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, who appealed to “protect the unity of Europe.” The Ukrainian leader was invited to the meeting by the acting president of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez.