(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 3 - Two decades of EU membership are a reason to celebrate. On May 1, 2004, ten Eastern European states joined the bloc - the EU's biggest enlargement to date. However, amidst the festivities, attention turns to regions like the Western Balkans, who are still on the waiting list for EU accession.
    Celebrations: On the 20th anniversary of their accession to the European Union, the Eastern European states celebrated their EU membership. On May 1, 2004, ten countries joined the EU: Czechia, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Cyprus and Malta.
    Poland found its place on May 1, 2004, said Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski on Wednesday at a meeting with his German colleague Annalena Baerbock in the German-Polish sister cities Frankfurt (Oder) and Slubice: "Among friends, among allies, in Europe, at home. This is what generations of Poles have fought for." Baerbock emphasised that the entire European Union had benefited from the enlargement to include the former Eastern Bloc countries.
    Baerbock added that European integration "does not fall from the sky", but rather needs strong and courageous responsibility.
    According to her, because of the ongoing war in Ukraine the continent "cannot afford grey areas in Europe". "The EU must be reformed to be stronger in security policy, to speak with one voice, and at the same time accept those countries that also want to become part of this union of freedom and security," she said.
    A joint statement by the presidents of the Baltic states on Wednesday read: "We have experienced tremendous economic growth, stability and security, while at the same time representing a remarkable success story of European integration and transformation." The heads of state Alar Karis (Estonia), Edgars Rinkēvičs (Latvia) and Gitanas Nausėda (Lithuania) went on to write: "The inscription 'European Union' appeared on the passports of our citizens, marking a triumphant return to our rightful historical place as members of the European family." On Tuesday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier celebrated the historic anniversary together with Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague. Both heads of state spoke out in favour of admitting further candidate countries to the European Union. "If we leave the Western Balkan states, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia at the door for too long, we will hand them over to players like Russia, who do not mean well by Europeans and Europe at all," warned Pavel. Steinmeier also said: "The states of the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova belong to a free Europe and to our Union." Charles Michel: Enlargement a geopolitical imperative.
    The European Union and the candidate countries must be ready for enlargement by 2030, said the President of the European Council, Charles Michel on Monday at the ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of EU enlargement in 2004. He added that the next wave of EU enlargement represents a geopolitical imperative and "a date with history". He emphasised that enlargement is the cornerstone of the EU's strategic sovereignty.
    "Candidate countries and EU Institutions have a lot of work to do. I repeat my firm belief that we must be ready to enlarge, on both sides, by 2030," Michel said. He explained that for the candidates this means implementing the necessary reforms and resolving all bilateral disputes, and for the EU reforming the program and budget and the decision-making process. "We are working hard with the 27 member states to prepare the strategic agenda. It will serve as a foundation for the next five years." (continues).
    (The content is based on news by agencies participating in the enr, in this case BTA, CTK, dpa, EFE, FENA, Lusa, MIA, PAP, Ritzau, STA, Tanjug, TASR). (ANSA).