The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, says that Europe should expand in 2030 with countries that have been waiting for more than 20 years to join the European Union.
Michel made the statement during his speech at the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia.
"We need to talk about time, we need to talk about our homework and I have a suggestion as we prepare the next EU strategic agenda," said Michel.
"We must set ourselves a clear objective: I believe we must be ready on both sides by 2030 to expand," he said, drawing applause from the room.
Michel said that the war in Ukraine "has shown that peace and democracy cannot be taken for granted".
"This war is not only destroying Ukraine: this war has a profound impact on the future of our continent. It has a profound impact on global security," he said.
The regular EU enlargement update is due in October, when EU officials are expected to report on progress in negotiations with the six Western Balkan states that have been waiting for more than two decades, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and North, Albania, Bosnia and Kosovo.