The keeping of the door open for Western Balkan countries is in its political, security and European Union interest”, Eurodeputs have said.

“The EU must ensure that its enlargement methodology supports reforms and ensures full membership as the ultimate goal for countries to enter”, the European Commission for Foreign Affairs's eurodeputs concluded in their recommendations for the Western Balkans, adopted Monday.

Greater Engagement With Western Balkan Countries

The decision to open the accession talks of Albania and Northern Macedonia is in political, security and EU interest, Eurodeputs say.

In its call to the EU for allowing visa liberalisation in Kosovo, they said the EU should closely engage representatives of Western Balkan countries in joint European initiatives (e.g. Sector policies and programmes before their accession, including the Conference for the Future of Europe.

Fighting Corruption and Promoting Regional Co-operation

Eurodeputs added that the EU should ensure that reforms in the Western Balkans focus on building state capacities, implementing judicial decisions, judicial reforms and efforts to fight corruption and organised crime.

“The EU must increasingly engage in resolving outstanding bilateral issues in the region, promoting good neighbourly relations and regional co-operation”.

Proper pre-accession financing to benefit Western Balkan citizens

Eurodeputs oppose any disruption of pre-accession assistance funds that could slow EU reforms.

“The EU must prioritize specific projects to benefit the people of the Western Balkans and ensure that pre-accession funds are set apart transparent, proportional and non-discriminationally, based on performance indicators measuring the progress of beneficial countries in implementing reforms”.

EP rapporteur Tonino Picaula said: “This report is a clear sign of European Parliament's support for the aspirations and efforts of Western Balkan countries to become EU members after all criteria are met. It is also a clear sign that we support the continuation of the enlargement process in general, as it has been one of the most successful EU policies. Enlargement policy is also a precondition to promote the EU's presence and its strategic interest in the Western Balkans, so it must be seen it is in our mutual interest”.

The recommendations were approved by 58 votes, 7 against and 5 abstentions. They will be handed over to the EP Plain at one of the next sessions.

On March 26th, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. Before that, in February, the Commission proposed a revised methodology that should give renewed impulses to EU enlargement. The summit for the Western Balkans is scheduled to be held before the Croatian Presidency's end in June.
In addition to Albania and Northern Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia have already begun accession negotiations, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidates.