EU summit points to reforms the bloc needs in order to welcome Ukraine and others as new members

By RAF CASERT and IAIN SULLIVAN
Associated Press

GRANADA, Spain (AP) — European Union leaders are acknowledging that just as aspiring members must meet exacting criteria to join the bloc, the 27 member nations also must work hard to reform the EU to make sure it can work smoothly with 30-plus nations. Although Ukraine has been hoping for a swift timetable for joining, the 27 leaders have declined to adopt a target date of 2030 for Kyiv’s membership as had been proposed by EU Council President Charles Michel. The group leaders say that any aspiring member must complete the EU’s long and tortuous merit-based process, which can last years. Meanwhile, they’re citing a need for the EU to reform, including streamlining its decision-making to reduce the number of decisions requiring unanimity.