German MP: EU comforting words further disappoint the Balkans

The MEP of the FDP's Bundestag, Renate Alt, member of the Bundestag Foreign Commission and rapporteur of the Liberals' parliamentary group for Eastern and Southeast Europe in a proposal for Deutsche Welle takes a critical stance on the results of the EU and Western Balkans summit held in Brdo.

“That Western Balkan countries have yet to enjoy with comforting words leads to further disappointment in the region regarding the membership process. With the investment package, the EU on the one hand shows, it will be engaged further, but will not set a clear European perspective, not to talk about concrete obligations that these countries must meet. ”

The EU thus damages its image with this and thus loses the confidence it needs in the membership process, German liberal MP Renate Alt emphasises.

“Sometimes countries willing to reform such as Northern Macedonia and Albania will find it more difficult. Particularly young reform-oriented people are leaving the country since 2019 mass and seek a perspective of the future” elsewhere, Alt recalls, citing this is a development the EU is promoting with its reluctance and lack of unity.

German MP Renate Alt demands that German government in office and countries like Austria convince France that the prospect of membership of Western Balkan countries and further development The EU, they don't exclude each other.

This certainly does not free the 6 countries of the Western Balkans from responsibility to make concrete progress in the field of rule of law, media freedom and the fight against organised crime. For the EU it matters: It is about its influence in the region, which is being challenged by countries like China and Russia and Turkey, as well as the stability of the European continent”, Renate Alt says on the outcome of the Brdo summit.