THE European Union will launch a major series of policy reviews to ensure that the 27-nation bloc can still function properly when it invites new members, it announced today.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU must prepare to grow to more than 30 members.

Ukraine, Moldova and countries in the Western Balkans are among those in line.

Even with 27 nations, the trading bloc often struggles to make some decisions, particularly those requiring unanimous agreement.

Hungary and Poland have routinely voted against foreign policy and migration decisions.

“History is now calling us to work on completing our union,” Ms von der Leyen told EU politicians in Strasbourg, France.

At the same time, she said, “we need to look closer at each policy and see how they would be affected.”

Ms Von der Leyen said that the commission’s reviews will examine how each policy sector in areas like the economy, energy, agriculture or migration would need to be adapted in the event of expansion.

Concerns have been raised about Russia’s influence on Western Balkan nations pending membership, particularly in Serbia and Bosnia.