Leaders and officials from the western Balkans will meet in the European Union on Tuesday to discuss the revival of Central Russia bloc expansion process invasion of Ukraine.
The EU Executive Committee has repeatedly promised Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia that they have a future within the bloc. But the progress of The six States about getting there stalled in Last few years.
European Union last admitted a new Member – Croatia, which is also part of Balkans – in 2013. Before that, Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007. With withdrawal of United kingdom in In 2021, the European Union now has 27 member states.
despite the divisions between them on The pace of Join talks and some complicated bilateral issues remainEuropean Union officials believe that more more decisive than ever clear The six Western Balkan countries belong in Europeans family so that they do not turn around in Frustration with Russia or China instead.
“Enlarge – widen policy Among the top three priorities of EU leaders “European Union Commissioner for Neighborhood and Expansion Oliver Varhelyi said during his visit to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, last week. “the only real long-term solution for Peace, stability and prosperity is the European Union membership. “
EU leaders agreed in June to introduce Moldova and Ukraine candidates for membership He said Georgia would be eligible for Run once in the country met Some of the targets set by the European Commission.
A month later, the EU started membership Negotiation with Albania and Macedonia years later of Delay. Bosnia moved a small step closer on that it path to me join The powerful Economic bloc when the commission advised the member countries in October to grant him candidate status despite continued criticism of The way Nation run.
Kosovo has only begun first stepf with Signature of Stability and Participation Agreement. She said it would apply for Candidate status later this month.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg insisted last this week supporting Moldova, Georgia and Bosnia were decisive in Context of the war. Stoltenberg noted that Bosnia, where Russian interference and ethnic tensions have long led to political instability, is “important.” for More in All of Western Balkans”.
But the problem for The countries-in- Waiting that the European Union did not consider its economies and political institutions ready for Integration into the single European Union market of Open trade Western democratic ideals.
“Nothing close joining European Union, said Luigi Scatteri, a researcher at the centre for European Reform, a think tank based in London. “They all have to overcome significant hurdles to meet the Copenhagen criteria, which set the standards for the European Union on Strong, functioning democratic institutions market economy and the ability Takes on obligations of membership. “
Discussions at a meeting on Tuesday in The capital of Albania, Tirana, is also You are expected to focus on negative effects for Energy and Food Security from Russia’s War in Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen already announced financial support to me help countries in It is acclimatized to the Western Balkans with shortage and higher the prices.
We created energy support package that should They all muster up no less than €2.5 billion for the region, Varhelyi said.
A bitter dispute between Serbia and Kosovo, prof former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008, remains a great interest for Western powers in the future of the top. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has threatened to boycott Rally to protest the recent political appointment of Prime Minister Albin Kurti of Kosovo.
During his trip to Belgrade, Varheli made clear to Vucic that he would need To harmonize the foreign policies of Serbia with Those of The European Union if the country hopes for it join cluster at some point. Vucic claims that he wants to bring Serbia into the European Union but has forged relations with Russia.
Although the representatives of Serbia voted in favor of Various UN resolutions condemn Russia invasion of Ukraine, Vucic refused to explicitly condemn Moscow. His country did not joined Western sanctions against Russia over the war.
“additional progress on The rule of “The law is necessary, but it will not be enough,” Varhelyi said. Alignment with foreign European Union policy also He plays much stronger role than before. Because Europe also under attack. “
Leaders meeting said in Tirana also Plan to discuss the recent increase in immigrants and asylum seekers moving Without permits, they crossed the Western Balkans, most hoping to eventually reach the European Union.
After Croatia joined the European Union in 2013 expansion slowed as questionable votes grew in Founding member states such as Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands. Euro-zone debt The crisis 10 years ago, the mass migration to Europe in 2015, and the United Kingdom’s 2016 Brexit referendum also Contribute to political anxiety with Expand the cluster further.
