EU uniquely for strong ties with Western Balkans, no rush for expansion

Leaders of the 27 EU states and the Western Balkan region, called <x0parter”, are holding their joint meeting in Bulgaria's capital. He did not miss the summit British government chief because when he is mentioned 27 and not 28 is largely thought of as being in the process of coming out of EU membership, but in Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who, due to Kosovo's participation in the summit, has decided not to participate, reports the special envoy of the KOHA Group, Augustin Palocaj.

Spain at the meeting is represented by the EU ambassador, which is extremely low, while at the joint lunch, even the ambassador will not be present.

In the area where the summit is being held, there are no flags or state symbols, which have been part of the protocol to address the concerns of countries that have not recognised Kosovo, and as a consequence it is decided that no state will be presented with their state flags and symbols.

The very fact that this is the first meeting at such a level after 15 years for the European Union is seen as historic success.

With the initiative of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, with the support of the European Commission and European Council President Donald Tusk, the Sofia summit is not this time for EU enlargement, but more on issues such as planning, digital development, migration, reforms and other issues that need to be advanced to the region in order to get closer to the EU.

Without economic development it will be difficult for Balkan countries to draw close to the EU and become acceptable to EU citizens. Bulgaria's own Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, at a conference in Sofia on the eve of the summit, has cited as an example that all six states of the Western Balkan region together do not have the level of Bruto production as Slovakia has alone.

European Council President Donald Tusk has said in Sofia that the development of this summit after 15 years, how far from the Thessaloniki Summit in 2003, it is the opportunity to confirm the region's European perspective and that this perspective is a strategic solution to the Western Balkans. European Parliament President Antonia Tayan has said that without the inclusion of this region in the EU, it cannot be said that Europe is united because Western Balkan countries are inextricably linked both geographically and historically with the EU. .

How much the EU enlargement process has stalled and how it has been in second place compared to the first period of 15 years, Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkov has commemorated in Sofia. He has said that when the Thessaloniki summit was held, it was an idea for such meetings to take place every 3 years, but so far there has been no such one, so today this one in Sofia has special significance. Plenkov has warned that Croatia during its EU chairmanship in the first part of 2020 will hold such a summit. He too has called for the EU to be clearer about enlargement, but also for countries limiting the Western Balkans -- and here is Croatia -- to raise more voices in favour of countries in the region.

The text of the joint declaration, which is expected to be adopted at this summit, first by the leaders of the 28 member states and then backed by the “Western Balkan partners” has long been agreed to in Brussels at the meetings of permanent representatives of member states.

We, the leaders of the European Union and its member states, in consultation with our partners from the Western Balkans, and in the presence of regional relief members, today we have concluded as follows: The EU welcomes the joint commitment of partners from the Western Balkans to European values and principles and the vision of a strong, stable and united Europe, strengthened by our historical, cultural and geographical ties and our common political, security and economic interests” are expected to be said in this statement.

“Recalling the 2003 Thessaloniki summit The EU reiterates its support for Western Ballak's European perspective. Building on the progress achieved so far, partners from the Western Balkans have renewed commitment to the European perspective as their firm strategic solution, to reinforce their efforts and mutual support. The credibility of these efforts depends on clear public communication” is said to be.

Watch out for expansion orders France's president

That within the EU there is no major enthusiasm to speed up the enlargement process has made it clear in Sofia, and France's President Emanuial Macro, extending an invitation to be cautious about the enlargement process and the protests that even the countries of the region should step up reforms, but also the EU will deepen its reforms before I think it can expand.

“I am to connect the Western Balkans to Europe. With great care and attention, you should observe any expansion. The negotiations that are under way should continue, should help countries that make reforms and advance towards the EU, and that is also my strategic choice. But I'm not in the position of this before we have all guarantees and prior to reforms that would enable better deepening and functioning of the European Union so that you can then move towards enlargement” has said Macro.

In the last 15 years, it's been a mistake to always think about expanding. We will not serve nations that are candidates for membership, nor ourselves with mechanizations that have no rules and that always goes towards enlargement. I am in a position to grow strategic dialogue with the Western Balkans, which we pursue closely, reforms that are being made and encouraged, but without concessions and hypocrisy” has said France's president.

EU Commissioner for Neighborship and Enlargement Johannes Hahn has said that in these summits the European perspective is confirmed, but also what was said earlier, that the process is based on individual merits and that each country must carry out its homework.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said it is in Europe's interest for the Western Balkans to develop economically.

The prime minister of Great British Theresa May has said the goal should be to have more stability, security and prosperity in the Western Balkans.

Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, whose country will take over the EU chairmanship in a month or so, reiterated that his goal is to support the countries of the region on their way to the EU. He in particular has mentioned Serina and Montenegro as the most advanced in this regard.

European Parliament President Antonia Tayan has said he has proposed a 10 billion euro fund for investments in the production of infrastructure in the Balkan missile.

During the summit important meetings there have been some in his margin. So a day before him in Sofia have met Kosovo and Serbian Presidents Hashim Thaci and Aleksandar Vuqiq to look at the success of continuing dialogue and reaching a comprehensive agreement on normalising relations. In the EU, these reports point to it as key to long-term peace and stability in the region.

The meeting of the prime ministers of Greece and Macedonia has also been held, Trzipras and Zaev, who are said to have approached positions for a final solution to the name issue.