Dutch PM says EU waited too long on enlargement

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten says the European Union has waited too long to bring in new members from the Western Balkans.

Jetten said previous Dutch governments had been reluctant to talk openly about enlargement.

He said the current government now sees EU expansion as a geopolitical issue, not only a technical process.

Jetten said bringing the Western Balkans, Ukraine and other candidates closer to the EU was in the Dutch interest, but only under clear conditions.

He warned that if the EU does not invest in the region, Russia and China could gain more influence.

He said candidate countries must strengthen the rule of law and democracy before joining.