Slovenian president makes Kosovo a favour, addresses Brussels with visa paper

Pahor handed this letter to Michael at the Prespa Forum. It mentions the risk of the Western Balkans leaving the European path, if the very slow process of integrating these countries on the part of the EU continues.

In addition to visa liberalisation for Kosovo, Pahor wants negotiations to begin in June with Albania and Northern Macedonia. He also demands that Bosnia and Herzegovina be granted EU candidate status unconditionally. Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani is also participating in this Forum.

This is the full letter:

Dear Mr. President,

In light of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine and the effects of the war on European security are increasing reaffirming the importance of the European Union as a guarantor of security and stability. While I sincerely support all efforts to grant Ukraine and Moldova candidate status, but I am increasingly concerned about the situation in the Western Balkans, which we are constantly declaring European guarantees, prospects, but the group is increasingly leaving.

I am particularly concerned about the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this country, the negative consequences and very slow process of expanding the European Union and leaving the European perspective. Under these circumstances, nationalism and the struggle for changing borders are intensifying, all of which are leading to increased instability that threatens security not only of BiH and its immediate neighbourhood but also of the European Union.

I am convinced that it is necessary for Bosnia and Herzegovina to be granted unconditional candidate status. Of course, BiH must meet the conditions, but order should be different, so that first candidate status and then meeting conditions. In my opinion, it would strengthen the pro-European forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the dynamic of internal adaptation with European norms.

I believe concrete steps are needed to accelerate European Union expansion in the Western Balkans. Albania and Northern Macedonia are given the green light for starting negotiations in June and Kosovo receiving visa liberalisation. I believe both seek only the political will of member states, as the three states meet all conditions to say. I also want a faster negotiation process with Montenegro and Serbia.