Western Balkans, EU at a crossroads

DW: Ambassador Tarka, what are the main issues the experts discussed at the “Think Tank” forum and at the Civil Society Forum, at the Poznan Summit, regarding EU policies towards the Western Balkans?

Wislaw Tarka: The “Think Tank” forum was largely dedicated to the socio-economic situation in the Western Balkans and to the EU's future of politics towards the region. The Green Agenda for the region was discussed at the Civil Society Forum, the best ways to support cultural co-operation, the process of reconciliation, anticorruption policies, deinformation and hybrid threats to democracy, prospects for young people in the region and the development of Civil Society Organisations.

The common message from the two Forums is clear: it must change the way EU enlargement in the Western Balkans has worked so far so that enlargement as political and EU as a policy actor in BP remains reliable. The EU and BP are at a crossroads: The enlargement process must either accelerate until the end goal is achieved, that new member states join the EU in a predictable future, or the policy of enlargement and the EU, as political actor at the BP, will lose their goal.

DW: Was the voice of civil society heard at the Poznan summit for an EU enlargement policy in line with reality in the BP?

Wieslaw Tarka: Civil society organisations, participants in the summit, prepared materials for enlargement policy and are now preparing conclusions from discussions at the Civil Society Forum. The organisation of all events in one country alone was an advantage of the Poznan Summit, because this enabled interaction between officials, experts and civil society organisations. For the first time, civil society representatives in the Western Balkans attended the BP foreign ministers' plenary session.

DW: What did Western Balkan experts suggest to push ahead the agenda of convergence among countries in the region, which remains one of the pillars of the Berlin Process for regional ties and co-operation? 

Wislaw Tarka: First of all, to make the Transport Community functional, focus is needed not only on heavy infrastructure, but also on implementing soft measures, such as. The harmonisation of regulations, which can significantly cut travel time in the region.

The second recommendation is strengthening the Energy Community position that monitors implementation of the EU energy policy regulation in BP. According to the Transport Community, this institution has weakened recently and its recommendations have not been implemented. The third issue is increasing administration capacities in the Western Balkans not only at the central level, but especially at the local level. One of the reasons regional projects have not been implemented is that the Western Balkans do not have enough capacity to prepare necessary documentation as soon as possible.

DW: How do Western Balkan experts and civil society representatives feel about security in the region and the main threats to it?

Wislaw Tarka: Experts and civil society discussed security issues. From their perspective the main threat to security and stability in the region is the lack of a stable prospect of EU membership, the region's political elites have no interest in implementing reforms, which would strengthen institutions in the region, especially the judiciary, prosecutors and police, which are crucial in fighting organised crime -- a key security threat in the region. Without a clear prospect of EU membership, the ruling elites are seeking alternative allies such as Russia, which wants to destabilise the region.

DW: What is the prevailing position at the Poznan Summit on the first few days of French President Macro's statement, under which France will refuse to approve further EU enlargement until it regains lost credibility and accelerate decision-making?

Wyeclaw Tarka: Experts at the “Think Tank” paid particular attention to France's stance. According to them, France is supporting the EU enlargement policy in BP on merit. But in fact, the policy I'm following The EU is the exact opposite: Albania and Northern Macedonia have met all conditions. The European Commission's recommendation is positive, but Paris opposes opening negotiations with these two countries. Enlargement policy is the most efficient policy towards neighbouring countries with the EU. Experts think France is undermining the foundations of this policy and is not proposing any alternative. This stance will significantly weaken the EU's influence not only on BP, but in all other neighbouring countries with the EU.

Poland's position is that the EU enlargement process has a positive transformative power in the BP and at the same time is an investment in peace and stability in the region. It is very important to ensure the region's overall progress. The EU must fulfil its clear pledges for European integration of the BP. EU membership of BP countries cannot neither be challenged nor change in other forms of commitments, as some member states suggest. The EU must meet commitments and confirm its credibility throughout the region and beyond.

It is important that the EU face current BP challenges such as migration movements, terrorism, cyber threats, hybrid threats from Russia and other actors.

Poland, like most member states, is pleased that the European Commission recommended the unconditional opening of accession negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia. We regret that no decision was taken last month in June, and we expect a positive decision to be made in October, without any further delay.