Enlargement will protect Western Balkans from malign influences -EU's Michel

FILE PHOTO: Charles Michel, President of the European Council, arrives to speak to the media as Denmark hosts a meeting on the future of the EU, at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday November 14, 2023. Martin Sylvest/Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS/File Photo

ZAGREB (Reuters) - Enlargement of the European Union will make the wealthy 27-bloc safer and more prosperous and also secure stability and peace for the Western Balkan countries, European Council President Charles Michel said on Thursday.

Last week, the EU's executive commission recommended that Ukraine and Moldova should start negotiations on EU membership pending the fulfillment of outstanding conditions, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also recommended that Georgia should receive the status of membership candidate.