The expansion of the European Union to the Western Balkans has once again become one of the priorities for Brussels. This was stated by the head of the European Council, António Costa, who is starting a tour of the region, UNN reports with reference to Euronews.
Details
Brussels must not lose control over the Western Balkans – a key region for maintaining the stability of Europe. This is the belief of the head of the European Council, António Costa, who announced the relaunch of the EU enlargement process, which has been somewhat slowed down in recent years due to the indecision of 27 member states.
At the same time, Costa confirmed the main requirement for candidate countries: all of them must carry out the necessary reforms to bring them into line with EU policy and security standards.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has accelerated the process of European integration of Ukraine and Moldova, which, from the point of view of the Western Balkan countries, are unfairly overtaking them. At the same time, this is an impetus to accelerate reforms.
The first stop in the "roadmap" of the head of the European Council will be Serbia, a country that has been in a state of political crisis for several months. On the same day, António Costa will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On Wednesday, May 14, he plans to visit Montenegro and Kosovo. And the next day he will go to North Macedonia. The last stop will be Albania. There, the head of the European Council will take part in the summit of the European Political Community (EPC), which is scheduled for Friday, May 16.
Add
European institutions have often indicated 2030 as the target date for the first accessions to the EU, including Albania, Montenegro and Serbia. However, Brussels is now only talking about Albania and Montenegro.
"I don't have a fixed date. Why 2030? And why not earlier? Accession is a merit-based process. If countries carry out reforms, they can join even before 2030," Costa said.
According to him, Albania and Montenegro are more advanced than other countries.
The media note that Russia's war in Ukraine has led to a resurgence of tensions in the Western Balkans, particularly due to tensions in Bosnia and between Serbia and Kosovo.
"I don't know of a better incentive to overcome conflicts that are still open than this, perhaps unique, opportunity – membership in the European Union. This is the best condition to offer the countries of the Western Balkans an opportunity for prosperity that they would find difficult to find elsewhere," Costa said.
According to numerous public opinion polls, most Serbs have lost interest in the EU due to the bloc's hesitations regarding enlargement.
Recall
Earlier, President of the European Council António Costa stated that Bulgaria can play a key role in strengthening Europe's defense thanks to its defense industry.