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February 9, 2018 www.intellinews.com I Page 2
European Commission unveils Western Balkans enlargement strategy
and Serbia – are at different stages of the EU inte- gration processes, with only Montenegro and Ser- bia having already started accession negotiations.
The EU also pledged enhanced engagement in the region to help the Western Balkan countries to prepare for membership.
The strategy, dubbed 'A credible enlargement per- spective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans', confirmed the EU future of the region as a geo-strategic investment in a stable, strong and united Europe based on common values.
”With strong political will, real and sustained reforms, and definitive solutions to disputes with neighbours, the Western Balkans can move for- ward on their respective European paths,” Junck- er stated in an address to the European parlia- ment on February 6.
Junker will start his Balkan tour at the end of this month with a clear message, which is keeping up the reform processes and the EU's commitment to supporting the Western Balkans countries’ European future.
"Today we confirm that the door of our union is open for the Western Balkans which is already an enclave surrounded by the EU, and that our offer is sincere," EU Enlargement Comissioner Jo- hannes Hahn stressed.
Meanwhile, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini underlined that the next months will be crucial to make sure that this "historic and unique opportunity" is seized.
The strategy explains the steps that need to be taken by Serbia and Montenegro to complete the
accession process by 2025.
European Commission underlined that a compre- hensive, legally-binding normalisation agreement between Serbia and Kosovo is needed so that they can advance on their respective European paths.
Belgrade needs the talks in order to accelerate
its EU accession process, namely progress in the Chapter 35 which covers relations with Pristina. Talks with Pristina have been on hold for the last 14 months, initially because of the Kosovan snap elec- tions and recently after assassination of Kosovan Serb politician Oliver Ivanovic. However, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic recently said that Bel- grade is ready to continue talks with Pristina.
In a statement on February 6, Brnabic welcomed the new strategy, saying that the Serbian govern- ment would speed up its efforts to meet accession criteria and implement reforms.
“I would especially like to point out that the Strat- egy, which gives the possibility of enlargement and the chance of entry by 2025, recognized the en- largement as a mechanism for further strengthen- ing and stability of the EU,” Brnabic said.
The tiny Adriatic country of Montenegro has so far opened 30 of the 35 chapters, and three have been provisionally closed. In December, the EU opened two more chapters in Montenegro’s accession negotiations — on freedom of movement for work- ers (chapter 2) and on right of establishment and freedom to provide services (chapter 3).
Most Montenegrins would like to become part of the EU. A recent poll showed that 80.9% would vote in favour of membership in the EU if the country calls a referendum. The government in Podgorica is also keen to push the country to- wards membership in the bloc.
Regarding the other Western Balkans countries, the Commissions said they could catch up de- pending on their strong political will, the imple- mentation of sustained reforms and definitive