Kos: There is a place for all Western Balkan countries in the EU

European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said today in Brussels that she has a clear message for all Western Balkan countries that there is a place for all of them in EU enlargement, and in reference to Serbia, that payments from the Union's Growth Plan have not been officially suspended.

"I have a clear message, there is a place for all Western Balkan countries in the European Union. Enlargement is a priority for the European Union and if our candidates have results, then we must also deliver results," Kos told reporters before the start of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting and a working breakfast with the Western Balkan six.

She pointed out that the EU is already delivering results in terms of enlargement and that for the first time in 17 years, a working group has been established on the accession of a new country, Montenegro.

She said that the EU is also delivering tangible results regarding the gradual integration of countries and pointed out that last week Serbia joined Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia in the SEPA payment system and that preparations are now underway for the EU-Western Balkans summit to be held in Podgorica on June 5th.

"I expect a really strong commitment from all candidates from the Western Balkans to stay on the European path," she said.

Responding to a question about Serbia, Kos said that she had never heard that funds from the EU Growth Plan had been frozen for Serbia.

"I have never heard that funds have been frozen, and that is very important for Serbia. Serbia has a place in the European Union, a democratic Serbia," she said.

She said that what the EU is doing is constantly checking whether all countries receiving funds from the Growth Plan meet the criteria, and that it is true that since the judicial amendments were introduced in Serbia a few months ago, no payments have been made, but that "there has been no official decision on non-payment" and if Serbia meets the criteria, of course the payments will continue.

"Candidate status comes with obligations on both sides, and we expect a candidate country to develop, not regress in some areas," Kos said.