The countries of the Western Balkans must take advantage of the geopolitical moment of the European Union's (EU) openness to enlargement in order to get closer to membership, but it is also necessary to align with EU values, the members of the European Parliament (EP) said today in the debate on the EU - Western Balkans summit. .
The representatives of the Western Balkans six are meeting with EU leaders in Brussels this afternoon, and the topics of the summit, which should result in a joint declaration, as announced, will be strengthening cooperation through the European Growth Plan, deepening political cooperation, building economic foundations for the future and cooperation in the fight against illegal migration, corruption and organized crime.
Before the start of the summit, the MEPs in Strasbourg discussed the expectations from that meeting.
Former Slovenian Prime Minister, now Liberal MP and rapporteur of the European Parliament for Montenegro, Marjan Šarec, congratulated Montenegro on the recent closing of three chapters in the negotiations, which he described as a "great success".
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He emphasized, however, that the countries of the Western Balkans are waiting too long for membership and that Europe "is doing too little for that region."
"In the last convocation, we did not go far enough, and we will regret it if the alliance does not expand in this term", he said and called on the EU to "do everything" to help those who lead in integration, and the politicians of the Western Balkans to "avoid sowing discord".
Croatian MEP Tomislav Sokol (HDZ) said that the biggest obstacle to expansion is the Serbian hegemonic policy, and he emphasized that the situation in Montenegro is particularly dramatic, where the influence of Belgrade, one of Russia's allies, is getting bigger and bigger.
"In the process of enlargement, the countries of Southeast Europe should be assessed individually and on the basis of their merits, i.e. according to their ability to adopt European values. Unfortunately, the biggest obstacle to enlargement is still Serbian hegemonic policy, and it is especially dramatic in Montenegro, which is influenced by Belgrade, one of of Russian allies, it is important that the European Union sends a clear message to the government and the ruling majority in Podgorica that actions, not words, are important of the citizenship law, which would mean the de facto end of independent Montenegro, and the latest crisis related to the Constitutional Court, are incompatible with European values and the rule of law. The fact that Montenegro closed not four but three chapters is directly related to the spread of Serbian influence in Montenegro "It is burning, which reflects negatively on European values and their European path. That is why it is important that the countries of Southeastern Europe resist the politics of the 'Serbian world' and with their consistent policy show their belonging to the community of European nations," said Sokol.
Croatian MP of Socialists and Democrats and EP delegate for Serbia Tonino Picula said that "enlargement is 'mainstream' again", but that European credibility is harmed by the lack of consistency and particular interests of some members, Hina reported.
Picula believes that investments and infrastructure projects are welcome, but that the EU's goals for the region must not only be economic convergence and a common market, but also the strengthening of democratic values.
Croatian member of the European People's Party (EPP) Davor Ivo Štir (HDZ) emphasized the significant geopolitical importance of the expansion of the Union to the southeast of Europe.
"Just as we responded to the Russian aggression against Ukraine with a bold strategic decision, giving candidate status to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, the same strategic thinking should guide us in our approach to the Western Balkans," he said.
Štir, like other Croatian MPs, believes that the expansion must be based on the individual merits of the candidates, but that the "broader geopolitical implications" should not be ignored.
Candidate countries must take advantage of the revived enlargement process, speed up reforms, improve mutual relations, respect the rule of law and align with European foreign and security policy, he said.
Štir also added that the EU must provide those countries with the benefits of membership even before the integration itself, for example through funds from the growth plan or by abolishing roaming in those countries.
EPP MP Željana Zovko (HDZ) said that "one country from the Western Balkans must accede to the EU" during this mandate of the European institutions, and which country, she added, "is up to the leaders to decide by their efforts and reform processes".
Gordan Bosanac, deputy of the Greens, also called for taking advantage of the moment.
"Press the decision-makers in your countries to deliver reforms because no matter what the moment, they will not be overlooked," he said.
The Bosnian emphasized that the EU should stop with its mistakes, such as the "uncontrolled hunger for lithium" that led to the resistance of some citizens towards the EU.
He concluded his speech by expressing his support for students in Serbia who are blocking colleges protesting the authorities' reaction to the deadly collapse of a canopy in Novi Sad.
They are "a great inspiration for the European road," he said.
After the Croatian deputies, representatives of Slovenia were, as expected, the most active in the discussion, reports Hina and adds that Vladimir Prebilič, a member of the Green Party, also spoke about the tragedy in Novi Sad and the protests that followed.
He said that those responsible for those deaths must be brought to justice, spoke about Amnesty International's warnings about arrested activists and citizen espionage.
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"As a candidate country, Serbia must align itself with our principles of democracy and the rule of law and stop the illegal use of such instruments," he said.
EPP MP Matej Tonin expressed his concern because there is insufficient support for enlargement in some EU member states.
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