Juncker shows conditions for integration of Balkan states into EU

Its journey to the region came a few weeks after the body leading introduced its enlargement strategy in the Western Balkans before the European Parliament. During the visit that took him to Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and that ended with the ban in Sofia, Juncker repeated messages conveyed to the strategy presented as a document for further integration of the region, with the emphasis set on the importance of European values, broadcast media.

Once again, the European leader discussed the idea of overcoming obstacles before accession, and meeting key criteria such as fighting corruption, rule of law, border disputes and reconciliation.

The European Union, the EC chief made it clear, is open to further membership only when countries have fulfilled the criteria individually.

Despite the strategy calling Serbia and Montenegro the main candidates in the accession process, Juncker was careful to stress that 2025 is an open date for all aspiring countries.

On the other hand, there is concern about not repeating the hasty approach that took place with Romania and Bulgaria in 2007. Juncker, however, stated openly at the end that he was returning to Brussels with the conviction that the Western Balkan country is in the heart of the EU.

Jean Claude Juncker, high representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy and Security Federica Moghrini and Joahnes Hahn, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Good Neighbors have stayed in Kosovo on 28 February.