Change methods for EU membership: These are conditions for Balkan countries

“It is necessary to improve the membership process and increase its effectiveness, should become more predictable, more reliable-based on objective and rigorous criteria in negative and positive conditioning, as well as on resiliency” highlighted in the document titled “The improved European perspective for the Western Balkans” reports Serbian news agency Tanjug.

With the aim of establishing the dynamics of the negotiation process, the European Commission proposes organising negotiating chapters according to thematic groups, which will enable increased concentration in key sectors of political dialogue.

Negotiations on each set of chapters will be opened as a whole, after meeting standards, which is better than according to special chapters.

That solution, as mentioned in the document, could be implemented already in negotiations with Serbia and Montenegro.

The priorities for accelerating integration and key reforms will be established by the EU and the candidate. When these priorities are implemented sufficiently, the group opens without additional conditioning and closing measures are set for each chapter”, explains in the text, and adds that the deadline from the group's opening to closing and should be limited, with the recommendation being one year.

Six sets of chapters have been presented in the document.

The first group, titled “Themelet”, concerns justice, fundamental rights, security, freedoms, as well as economic criteria, functioning democratic institutions, public administration reform, public procurement, statistics and financial control.

The second group, “internal markets”, contains chapters related to the freedom of circulation of goods, labour force, economic courts, intellectual property, competition policies, financial services, consumer protection.

The next group with the new title “achievement and competition” concerns information society, the media, the tax system, but monetary and economic policies, social policies and employment, industrial and entrepreneurial policies, education and culture, customs union.

The target continues with the “Green Age” group that connects chapters related to transport, energy, transport network, natural environment protection and climate change.

The fifth group “Resurres, agriculture and cohesion” involves rural and agricultural development, food security, veterinarianity, sanitation policies, fishermen, regional policies, co-ordination of structural instruments, finances and budgets.

The sixth group has to do with “external issues”, which summarizes external relations, foreign policies, security and defence policies.

One of the changes the European Commission proposes is the interconnection of progress in implementing reforms hired aimed at integrating candidate countries into the European Union, the market and [its programme, as well as raising funds and investments.

Until progress in reform is rewarded, there is also a need for stricter sanctions measures in cases of serious impasses or turning back on reform implementation. The decision to interrupt or even reverse the process should be announced through the European Commission's annual report” is explained in the document.

In serious cases, the Commission can give such proposals at any time, at their request or the request of EU member, to provide quick answers through accelerated procedures.

These measures envision the possibility of suspending membership of the membership process, as well as opening closed chapters or restoring issues that need to be reviewed. Also, EU funds and resources can be reduced, except support for civil society, as well as benefits of close co-operation, such as participation in EU programmes, access to markets, can be suspended.

The European Commission, with the proposal, stresses that during the membership process, conditions should be clear from the very beginning, and announce also the definition through annual reports on candidate countries.

It adds that negotiations on fundamental issues will be guided according to principles of rule of law, principles of functioning institutions of democratic institutions, and public administration reforms as better related to economic reform programmes.

EU membership is the process that requires and supports basic reforms, political and economic changes in candidate countries, and should show the ability to hold responsibility as EU member.

It, as it says, cannot be guided to <x0-autopilot”, but must actively present society's decision to reach and respect the highest European standards and values.

It is also called on to the greater commitment of the leadership of both sides, and it is stressed that the nature of the process is highlighted and put into first place, including new possibilities for dialogue during regular EU-Western Balkans summits as well as intensive ministerial contacts.

The European Commission in its document estimates that the key goal of EU engagement in the Western Balkans is to prepare for meeting all membership needs, including support for democracy, rule of law and economic reforms, as well as co-ordination with fundamental European values.

The goal of new methodology, as stated in the text, to increase credibility and trust between EU member states and between candidates, as well as achieve better results on the ground.

The leaders of the Western Balkans must demonstrate “their commitment to implementing reforms, such as in the rule of law, the fight against corruption, the economy, etc. This also means that the EU must surrender on the basis of a steadfast commitment to the process based on merit.

When the partner country meets the criteria and conditions, members must accept progress towards the next level of the process. All sides must refrain from misusing open issues in the membership process. EU member states and institutions need to speak in a voice to the region, send clear signals of support, and talk openly about problems if” occurs in the document.

This sure prospect towards full EU membership, based on merit, as noted, is in the political, security and economic interest of the union.

“In time to increase global challenges and divisions this process remains more than ever the geostrategic investment for a Europe, stable and strong, and a reliable prospect of membership is a boost and a motto for transformation in the region, which adds to our collective prosperity and security” is written in this document.