Von der Leenen's visit to the Balkans: Nice promises, but no clear message

Six places in three days: With the tour of Western Balkan countries, which all want to join the EU, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen prepared the EU summit with Balkan countries.

At 6,10,2021 under the Slovenian presidency, the summit is held in Brdo, Ljubljana. The EU's message to this tour of all stations was the same: agree with each other, try even further, be patient. Ursula von der Leyen assured all the presidents and prime ministers, who met that: “We want you in the EU. I personally engage in this”, writes DW.

Please Patience

Words of encouragement are needed because the membership process has been postponed for years, though for example. Albania and Northern Macedonia, meanwhile, have made the promise since 2019. Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed disappointment figuratively.

<x)

Albania feels both “hostage” of the row between the EU member state of Bulgaria and the candidate country of Northern Macedonia. Bulgaria blocks membership talks because North Macedonia risks Bulgarian identity and language. Most EU countries have no understanding about this dispute. The German government in June officially urged Bulgaria to pull its veto against opening negotiations with Skopje.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyeen again noted the clearly formulated position by the Commission for Northern Macedonia and Albania: “You have fulfilled the conditions and done your job”, she said in Skopje and Tirana.

Zoran Zaev, the prime minister of Northern Macedonia, stressed what many EU politicians have been repeating for years, that we have to do with the credibility of the European Union. The EU finally has to stick to its promises.

Ursula von der Leyeen smiled over the criticism during a joint press conference at a renovated youth centre with EU funding. A concrete recipe, how Bulgaria could change its position, it failed to offer. In all its tour stations, she preferred to highlight financial assistance, which the EU has made available to the Balkans for renewal after the coronary pandemic. In addition to short-term aid for vaccine campaigns in the coming years, nearly 30 billion euros will be allocated for strategic investments in the region.

Kosovo license dispute resolved

Von der Leyen's visits to Serbia and Kosovo were held under the shadow of the conflict scale the last days between Serbia and Kosovo on the plate issue. But while the president of the Commission was in Pristina and Nis, delegations of both sides held talks in Brussels, where they managed to find a solution.

On Thursday (30.09) came news from Brussels that an agreement has been reached on the license issue. At least temporarily, because negotiations must continue.

The “is of vital importance for Serbia and Kosovo to normalise reports. I'm very worried about the current conflict. It is necessary that the situation should definitely be stressed”, von der Leeyen told Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq.

They basically approved of it but did not let it be understood whether or when they would make concessions. The basic problem has not been solved: Kosovo's non-recognition as a state from Serbia, but also five EU member states. A solution to this problem is still out.

Asked by reporters at the press conference in Pristina, the president of the EU Commission said, it should be followed further as “dream” Kosovo's EU membership.

“is reasonable, necessary, and beautiful to have dreams”, Ursula von der Leyeen expressed beautifully. At the Brdo summit next week, efforts must be made to establish a basis of trust and friendship. “Balkan is on our side. This is a dream worth working for”, Von der Leyen said in beautiful words but not to mention the corresponding steps.

More Cooperation

In Serbia, she praised the progress made. Along with President Aleksandar Vuciq, she signed a new agreement on expanding railway ties in the region, the line that will one day lead from Thessaloniki to Salzburg. The EU finances much of the construction of two-way railways, as well as the electrification of these lines. Vuciq expressed appreciation for this support.

Von der Leyen repeatedly stressed that Serbia must be in the EU. Vuçic specifically supports the construction of the so-called „austrade of peace” between Nis and Pristina. He said enlargement is necessary in the conflict with Kosovo. The Commission's president reaffirmed its appeal to the six Western Balkan countries to co-operate more among them and even before they enter the EU or start membership talks. Economic co-operation, removing customs and lifting visas are possible.

Serbia, Albania and Northern Macedonia have joined the “Open Balkan” initiative, where three other Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo should be included.

Problems Within the EU

The president of the EU Commission did not mention at least not in public the reserves that Bulgaria has, but also other EU states against opening membership negotiations. France and the Netherlands continue to be critical of Albania's candidacy. The Netherlands Parliament has avoided obstacles, but the incumbent government in The Hague is still hesitant.

Several member states, including Germany, have questioned the visa-free movement from Balkan countries to the EU in domestic talks. This is because many asylum seekers from these countries apply for a stay in Western Euorpah. Countries of origin are not willing to accept denied asylum seekers. Germany has asked the EU Commission to think of a clause that would enable the provisional abolition of visa-free circulation. Regarding such internal documents informs internet platforms in Brussels “EU Observer”. Even these issues will be discussed at the Brdo summit Wednesday (06.10). /dw/