27 minutes agoEU: Kosovo, Serbia reach agreement not to jeopardise war
Periskopi(6 years ago)
(6 years ago)The European Union deals with the six Western Balkan countries as privileged partners, the future of the region is in the EU and it is important that the message is conveyed properly, European Enlargement Commissioner Oliveér Várhely said today at the European Parliament's Joint Policy Commission (AFET). At the meeting chaired by the AFET chairman [...]
The European Union deals with the six Western Balkan countries as privileged partners, the future of the region is in the EU and it is important that the message is conveyed properly, European Enlargement Commissioner Oliveér Várhely said today at the European Parliament's Joint Policy Commission (AFET).
At the meeting, chaired by AFET Chairman David McAllister, Varjei presented the outcome of yesterday's virtual EU-Western summit, attended by Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and EU support for the Western Balkans in the fight against Codavi-19.
Commissioner informed A FET for Zagreb's statement and EU financial assistance to the Western Balkans in fighting the epidemic and its consequences.
According to him, that the EU and the Western Balkans are partners, it is also confirmed by the fact that countries in the region have been excluded from bans on exporting medical equipment, transportation restrictions, etc.
Oliveér Várhely also said that the recovery of the Western Balkans from the current crisis is possible only with implementation of reforms, respect of rule of law, fundamental rights, public administration reform, the fight against corruption.
He stressed that it is important that the European Parliament and AFET support partners from the Western Balkans.
Asked by the AFET Co-ordinator of the Socialist Group and Democrats (SD) and Enlargement Rapporteur Tony Picula why the words “membership and enlargement” are not mentioned in Zagreb's statement, Olivér Várhely said the document clearly offered a European perspective and that Zagreb's statement confirmed it from Thessaloniki.
Picula also asked whether there would be any <x0-democratic cliter”, “democratic control” or conditions for funds from the package in the new economic package.
“Packa will be economics, but the EU accession process continues in parallel, meaning that rule of law and democracy are key issues that can stop the accession process,” said Várhely.
When asked by several Eurodeputes for relations between Kosovo and Serbia and the possibility of exchanging territories that some are talking about, commissionor Várhely stressed that the EU's “position is clear that the two countries agree on a solution so that there is no danger to conflict”.
Várhely also said reports of the countries in the region's progress on the road to the EU will be released in June.
