The enlargement of the European Union (EU) is the most effective way to ensure peace, prosperity and freedom in Europe, said European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, stating that the security imperative is rapidly gaining importance.
In an interview with European Newsroom, Kos said that the new geopolitical reality requires new steps from the EU, and that enlargement now looks different than it did in December last year.
"When I came to this position, I said that enlargement is different than it was five years ago, and now I say that enlargement today is different than it was in December last year. Because the whole world is on the move, the whole of Europe and the whole neighborhood are on the move," Kos said.
According to her, the security imperative is rapidly gaining importance.
"The security imperative is growing rapidly and we need to find answers, not only in relation to the enlargement process, but also to the entire neighbourhood policy," Kos said.
She also pointed to the existence of external "disruptive forces" who, she stated, would like to see the enlargement process fail.
Kos said that at this moment it is important to show unity.
As she pointed out, the EU must also find answers on how to deal with the tension that exists between geopolitics, or rather geopolitical and security needs, on the one hand, and the enlargement methodology on the other.
"EU enlargement remains the most effective means of ensuring peace, prosperity and freedom," Kos said.
She stressed that the EU is strongly committed to bringing the Western Balkans into the Union.
"Of course, we will stick to our merits and see," said Kos, adding that they are also strongly involved in bilateral issues, of which there are many in the region.
When asked by reporters about the EU's cooperation with the administration of the President of the United States of America (USA) in the context of enlargement, Kos said that only the EU can bring candidate countries into the Union.
"Only the EU can bring candidate countries into the Union. No one else has the responsibility for that, and it is also about our credibility. That is why we really have to deliver and that is why we cannot lose any of the candidate countries," Kos stated.
Asked about investments offered by the US in the region that could potentially affect the enlargement process, Kos said that candidate states decide for themselves whether to accept investments.
Kos pointed to the example of Montenegro, whose government has concluded an agreement with the United Arab Emirates, which is considering large investments in the country, stating that the EU is closely monitoring what is happening in that field.
According to her, previous enlargements have shown that investments in candidate countries grew before the country joined the EU.
"We are following what is happening in this field, because being a candidate country also brings with it some things. Candidate countries can choose their investors, but we are following developments carefully," Kos said.
She also reminded that Montenegro has all chapters open and some closed, and that it is planned to close them all by 2026, so that the country could become a member by 2028.
Speaking about the situation in the region, Kos pointed to the progress Albania is making in the negotiation process with the Union, stating that the EU supports the vision of the government of that country to complete negotiations by 2027, so that the country could become a member by 2030.
Kos said she expects the new Serbian government to be pro-European and reformist.
"Serbia must return to the European path and the European Commission is ready to do everything to make that happen," Kos said, adding that she is planning a visit to Belgrade at the end of the month.
According to her, what the EU demands from Serbia in terms of the rule of law is almost identical to the demands of the students and others who are protesting.
Kos also said that they are aware of the institutional and political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), and that they are working to ensure that all entities in BiH do what is best for the entire country.
"I would be the happiest person if we could start negotiations with BiH. The people of that country truly deserve it," Kos said, adding that some of the country's politicians are working against it.
According to Kos, the negotiation process could take place if a compromise is reached in the country.
"I call it from Dayton to Brussels. We need to enable BiH to have political decisions in their hands, and for us to be able to review them. We could really help them a lot that way. So, there are good prospects, but, of course, we also need cooperation with Republika Srpska," Kos said.
Speaking about the accession process of North Macedonia, Kos said that she encourages the authorities of that country to implement reforms.
When asked by reporters whether she could guarantee that there would be no new blockages on Macedonia's path to the EU stemming from bilateral disputes, such as identity, history or language, Kos said she understood the frustration that exists in North Macedonia.
"No one can give North Macedonia a guarantee that if it changes the Constitution now, there will be no more objections. That does not mean that we are not working to help North Macedonia," Kos said.
She stressed that they expect all member states to conduct negotiations in cases of bilateral disputes in good faith and with the vision of reaching a compromise.
"It would be best if bilateral issues did not interfere with the accession process, although that does not mean that bilateral issues are not important," Kos said.
Comparing individual Eastern Partnership countries with the Western Balkans, Kos stated that it was easier for individual Western Balkan countries to become members of NATO than the EU, while it was easier for countries like Moldova and Ukraine to achieve EU membership.
Kos said that, when it comes to Ukraine's accession to the Union, she understands enlargement as the political side of security guarantees.
As she stated, it is not realistic for Ukraine and Moldova to become NATO members for now, while EU membership could be a strong political support for security guarantees.
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