“We are not where we should be with the Western Balkans. I am very disappointed with how things are done, only one country – implying Bulgaria – hinders the whole process. Things are not going well”. Head of European diplomacy, Joseph Borrellno beating around the bush during Summit between European Union leaders and Western Balkan countriesbefore Council of Europe EU gives the green light to candidate status Ukraine Y Moldova (Y Georgia With a decision more than “symbolic” because of the message it sent to the Kremlin (when it fulfills the requirements that Brussels demands): the future of these countries, effect Russia but in the EU.
“This is a historic moment. Today is an important step towards the EU,” the President of the European Council celebrated, Charles Michael. “If there is ever a time for Europe, this is it. A historic day for the European Union. The decision to grant candidate status to Ukraine is the right decision for Ukraine and Europe,” said Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, emphasizing that it is a long and complex process.
Praise to Kiev four months after Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, tabled the petition – on the fourth day of the invasion of Russia – the day comes when Twenty-Seven is rededicated to revitalizing the enlargement process. Despite promise, six countries of the Western Balkans left Brussels with empty hands after a while four hour meeting tense and difficult with many reproaches and saw a conflict between the French president, Emmanuel Macronand his Serbian counterpart, alexander vucicaccording to diplomatic sources. It’s an ongoing push and pull during the two-hour bilateral meeting with demands to cancel the scheduled press conference and get the European Council to start talking about the Balkans instead of Ukraine, and some Member States to agree on clearer results with the EU. European perspective of these countries.
“There is no concrete result, but it was a good discussion and I will never underestimate it. But if you ask if North Macedonia and Albania got a date (to start accession negotiations), they did not achieve it. Pristina (Kosovo) achieved visa liberalization, it did not. Bosnia- If Herzegovina achieved candidate status, it didn’t, either, “Vucic, the only country in the Balkans that refuses to implement a visa, summed it up by resigning. European sanctions on Russia For the war in Ukraine and for some of his colleagues accusing Brussels and Moscow of playing both sides.
priority since 2003
was in thessaloniki summit (Greece) When the EU promises these countries a “European perspective”. Twenty years later, progress has been scant. From six countries – not counting Turkey chance to participate decreased – only two, Serbia and MontenegroIt has started negotiating some of the 33 chapters of the process with the European Commission, but very slowly. northern macedoniaforced to change the name of the country to overcome the initial reluctance of Greece and Albanian They received candidate status in 2005 and 2014 respectively, but are still hitting the Bulgarian wall 17 and 8 years later.
“It’s a shame that one NATO country, Bulgaria, kidnapped two other NATO countries, Albania and North Macedonia, with Bulgaria sitting in the EU’s backyard in the midst of a hot war and 26 other countries in a terrible display of helplessness”, disgraced the Albanians, Edi Ramahas spared no blame on Twenty-Seven for the spirit of an enlargement process it describes as “crooked” that held them hostage to bilateral conflicts. The attempt of the EU Presidency under the occupation of France to remove the obstacle to the situation has been ignored so far and the French Government’s motion of no confidence has been lost. Kiril Petkovalthough diplomatic sources remain hopeful and see it possible for Bulgaria to lift its veto, if not this week.
geopolitical decision
“The next few hours and days will be important to see if we can reach an agreement between North Macedonia and Bulgaria,” Macron said. Thinking about how we make decisions in the EU, because we can’t keep a single country blocking months and months,” he warned. Kosovolike this Bosnia and Herzegovina It has the status of a potential EU candidate. “Kosovo fulfilled all the criteria for visa liberalization 4 years ago. Now it is the Member States that have to support this process, because it is an injustice to the people of Kosovo,” he said. Vjosa Osman He closed the ranks, giving candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova.
“I don’t see any harm to the Western Balkans if Ukraine and Moldova advance. On the contrary, I believe the EU is sending the message that this is a geopolitical decision by opening the door for them. “I hope that as Ukraine and Moldova move forward, the EU understands that we deserve to move forward because unless the EU gives a unified and clear signal on the Western Balkans, other bad actors will use this space,” he said. , he warned. The Albanian Prime Minister welcomed the open granting of candidate status to Ukraine with optimism, although in his own experience he was aware that the journey could be a long one. Describing the day as “historic” but negative for the Western Balkans, Rama said, “It’s nice to give them candidate status, but I hope the Ukrainians aren’t too mistaken about it.” said.
Source: Informacion
