Media freedom key to opening EU membership negotiations

DW: Commissioner Hahn, at the conference under way in Tirana, “The EU- Western Balkans, the Days of Media”, you said guaranteeing freedom of expression and the media is one of the political criteria that should meet countries aspiring to enter the EU. What political support can the EU give to Western Balkan countries to meet the challenges posed by meeting this criterion?

Johannes Hahn: First, we have many problems in the Western Balkans to help journalists and to support them in their professional qualifications. That's one thing. The other thing is that freedom of expression is one of the key elements of our integration process, of opening negotiations for EU candidate countries' accession. With the candidate countries of the Western Balkans, with which we have started membership negotiations, we are looking at chapters 23 and 24 that deal precisely with media freedom, rule of law, independence of the judiciary. We are conducting negotiations by closing these chapters, from the very beginning to the end, taking care of freedom of expression and media. And this is one of many elements that helps improve the quality of the media in the Western Balkans.

DW: Would the strategy to transform the media into a transforming power in the integration process of Western Balkan countries have regional approaches, while shortcomings, problems and challenges are more or less the same?

Johannes Hahn: The transforming power of the media is, but I prefer to talk about the process and not about negotiations. Changing behavior, attitude, takes time. A positive development where achievements can be seen is the fight against corruption. It is not only necessary to have proper legislation in place, but to have this legislation applied. The same applies to media development and the way journalists can do their business. And this is where the results should be seen. That is possible if there is a European perspective.

DW: Can there be regional co-operation even to face the challenges of ensuring freedom of expression and of media within the Berlin process?

Johannes Hahn: Targeti, the goal of the Berlin Process, is regional co-operation, so another instrument, a tool, an element to encourage countries to work together. And if they work together there's less appetite to fight each other. This is basically the European concept. And that helps us in fields like this. rule of law and so on.

DW: What is the position of EU member states for opening membership negotiations with Albania in the middle of next year, 2018?

Johannes Hahn: I expect the Progress-Raporti for Albania, due to emerge in April of next year, to be positive. I also expect a positive report on neighbouring countries involved in integration processes: Macedonia and Montenegro. There is no negative feedback for Albania by any member states. But Albania must solve the problem of asylum seekers in EU countries, as it damages Albania's reputation in the public opinion of member states. Albania and other Western Balkan countries are on track.