McAllister: EU integration, depends on Balkans

The EU is willing and willing, despite its problems, to accept the states of the Western Balkans. A stable Balkans bring stability across Europe, says Euro-Deputet David McAllister for DE.

Deutsche Walle: The economy in the Western Balkan countries is developing quite positively, although the unemployment quota by 20 per cent continues to be very high. How can the European Union help with its membership prospects?

David McAllister: The EU wants to support all six Western Balkan states. The six have a clear European perspective and we want to promote integration. States are approaching the EU at different speeds. Montenegro is certainly the predecessor at the moment. Serbia is making progress. But we want the six states to stick to this path, because there is one thing we know very accurately here in Brussels: stability in the Balkans means stability for all of Europe. We want to export stability to the region. If we fail to do so, then the lack of stability there may come to us.

Is this about money alone, the so-called pre-membership assistance? Or what is the point?

Of course, financial assistance is of vital importance. We spend the money so that these countries are able to join the EU. It is about new jobs and economic growth. It's infrastructure and education. We must offer a good quality of life in the city and in rural space. Of course, it's about money, but it's not just that. We also want to make it clear that a membership in the EU has a positive effect on enterprises and society. But EU membership is also hard work.

There is much disappointment among people in the Western Balkan countries, because rapprochement with the EU and membership procedures has been lasting for 17 years. When Will the Waiting End?

In 2013, when Croatia became a member of the EU, we saw that countries that have participated in the former Yugoslavia have the potential to join the EU. My opinion is that a country, which supports our values and passes a very complicated process of membership, will enter the EU once it is really ready. So in the first place, it's up to candidate states, how they're going to advance things. We're seeing progress. Montenegro negotiates for 20 of the 39 membership chapters. Serbia has 10 open chapters. If I walk everything without problems, Albania could probably start formal membership talks next year. The other three states -- Macedonia, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina -- are slightly behind us, but have a good perspective.

Is the European Union Ready for Membership?

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker made it clear that in this legislature (by June 2019), we will not accept any country. But that was also clear because the EU is still processing the expansions of 2004, 2007 and 2013. In principle, the European Union is capable and ready for admission. But first the question has to be answered, whether candidate states are really ready and that they have really implemented reforms. We need progress in fundamentals, in rule of law, in freedom of media, in strong democracy, in rights for the opposition, in religious tolerance. These are key values. Despite some steps behind, I am optimistic that the Western Balkan states will take place in this direction.

David McAllister (46) is a deputy in the European Parliament. The CDU politician heads the Foreign Affairs Commission there and is considered an expert in the Western Balkans.