On November 4, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters at a press conference on EU enlargement that countries aspiring to join the bloc could become members by 2030.
Kallas made the remarks in light of a new annual report from the European Commission, which evaluates reform progress among countries seeking to join the EU. According to the report, officials praised reform efforts in Montenegro and Albania, but criticized setbacks in Serbia and a democratic decline in Georgia.
Kallas also commended Ukraine for implementing sweeping reforms despite being at war, adding that EU membership could serve as a "major security guarantee" for the nation.
Indeed, any European country can apply for EU membership, but the process is long and involves rigorous assessments. While the EU primarily considers European nations, geopolitical and economic factors also influence eligibility.
Recently, there has been online speculation about whether Canada could join the EU, especially after tensions with the US. Advocates argue that Canada's European-style healthcare system, bilingual culture, and NATO participation make it a strong candidate, though its geographical and cultural distance from Europe presents a significant obstacle.
Intrigued? Click on to discover what it takes for a country to join the EU.