The EU's clear order from the Sofia Summit: We don't accept new members without settling bilateral conflicts

The EU renews at the Balkan summit in Sofia old promises: membership if tasks are done. When that will happen, this EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn could not say. 

Deutsche Welle: Mr. Commissioner, the EU offers six Balkan states in the “Sofia Declaration” a European perspective, but not membership. Is that enough?

Johannes Hahn: Here in Sofia we focus on “objectivity” -- that is, in those areas, where we can expand connections in infrastructure, energy sector and digital offerings with each other.

This also affects a closer relationship with the European Union. With this European perspective, we offer very concrete investments in infrastructure.

Do you not go through with this one step later to your promises, which you gave to Thessalonica 15 years ago, namely expansion?

No, we have the strategy of the Western Balkans, which we published in February. It clearly shows a European perspective for all these countries. But there is still much to be done. We are in constant exchange and co-operation with the states. Some have moved faster than others, all have made progress. A very important aspect is that these states prepare for future EU membership even in infrastructure. We are working for a regional free trade zone, which will enable states to have better trade relations with each other.

The goal is to increase the economic productivity of all candidates so that they can become more solid and resistant and more competitive in Europe.

The Western Balkan countries also have a series of conflicts to solve with one another. Take the dispute between Serbia and Kosovo as an example for the recognition of Kosovo as a state. How can the EU help solve these conflicts?

I believe that the horizon of a European perspective causes a very strong movement in political issues in the region in the region. We have just seen that it was possible to resolve a border dispute after two and a half years between Kosovo and Montenegro. It seems we will soon have a solution to the name dispute between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and EU member Greece. Dinamica has also pushed forward dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

We've always said clearly and this everyone knows: we're not going to accept any new member, without ever having solved all bilateral conflicts. That already worked.

The European Commission has cited 2025 as a potential membership date for Serbia and Montenegro, as they all move according to plan. Member states do not mention this date here in Sofia. Why not?

This was a “orientation”. The decisions will be made only at our next European Union meeting in late June. This truly refers to a temporary date that should show the seriousness and credibility of the entire process. We feel connected to our obligations, but now it is up to Balkan states to achieve progress.

Johannes Hahn is EU Enlargement Commissioner and holds membership negotiations with candidate states.