EU Leaders Support Expansion of the Bloc

European Union leaders announced today, Friday, their support for the inclusion of new members into the bloc, but they did not set a timeline for this and warned candidate countries like Ukraine that there would be no shortcuts. At a summit in the Spanish city of Granada, the leaders of the 27-member EU stated that expanding the bloc is an "investment in peace, security, stability, and prosperity." However, they also mentioned that the bloc and countries wishing to join, such as Ukraine, Moldova, and Western Balkan nations, will need to implement significant changes to be ready for EU membership. They noted in a statement: "Those aspiring for membership must intensify their reform efforts, especially in the area of the rule of law."