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Following the proposals of the President of France, Emanuel Macron, for the creation of a “European Political Community” and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, for the “European Geopolitical Community”, some member states of the European Union are also coming up with ideas to strengthen ties of the countries of the Balkan region with the EU.
In a “non-paper”, Austria has proposed a “gradual integration” of candidate countries and potential candidates from the Western Balkans. “We need to think beyond existing means of expansion and neighborhood and use the potential that has not been used so far. “Along the way to full membership, we must create opportunities to integrate these countries into the political arena, which have concrete benefits for candidates and their citizens,” the unofficial Austrian document said.
Austria argues that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has changed the geopolitical environment and could also have a negative impact on the stability of the Western Balkans, bringing the conflict between Europe closer.
“We want and need to have the countries of the region on our side. They are key partners and integral members of the European family, so we need to rethink our approach to enlargement and neighborhood policy. “Enlargement is not just a bureaucratic procedure, but the most powerful geostrategic instrument,” the document reads.
Austria acknowledges that the enlargement process so far has not yielded the right results in recent years and has led to frustration in the region.
Austria proposes gradual integration into the EU common market, including freedom of movement of goods, facilitation of trade between the region and the EU, abolition of customs duties on agricultural products, freedom of movement of workers, services and capital.
Austria also proposes participation in EU policies in the field of environment and energy, inclusion in trans-European transport networks and in many other areas.
The integration process would remain merit-based and each country would be assessed on the basis of compliance with EU standards and reforms. Access to EU funds, according to the document, would be a motivation for reform and alignment with EU policies.
From a political point of view, it is proposed to invite the countries of the Western Balkans region to informal meetings of the EU Council, while in other institutions of the European Union to have an observer status. At least once a year there should be joint summits of EU leaders with colleagues from the Western Balkans.
Many of these ideas are expected to be discussed in the coming days during visits by senior EU officials and member states to the region.
The main discussions will take place on June 23 in Brussels when the meeting of the leaders of the region and those of the EU takes place./REL
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