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The ministers of the member states of the European Union, on Tuesday, December 14, discussed the process of enlargement and Stabilization and Association.
At the General Affairs Council meeting, the ministers reiterated their commitment to the enlargement process, which they say remains a key EU policy.
However, during the discussion, the agreement of all member states on the adoption of conclusions was not reached, as some states had remarks. Therefore, later on Tuesday, the ministers will return to this topic once again, to see if there will be agreement on the conclusions.
According to diplomatic sources, Bulgaria has continued to demand that its documents on its bilateral problems with northern Macedonia be included in EU documents. Greece and Cyprus have had remarks on the part of the text that talks about Turkey, while Croatia has had remarks on the part of the text dedicated to electoral reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Slovenian EU presidency insists on opening membership negotiations with northern Macedonia and Albania by the end of this year, although such a possibility seems unlikely. text, which may come out during the day, then the conclusions will be published as “conclusions of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU”. If so, then the conclusions will be more of a political message than a joint EU Council document.
Otherwise, the draft conclusions state that the process of enlargement of the European bloc “is an investment in peace, democracy, prosperity, security and stability in Europe”.
“The Council underlines that upholding the core values of the EU and the European perspective are a strategic choice, essential for all partners aiming for EU membership,” the draft conclusions said.
The countries of the Western Balkans region are required to align their foreign policy positions with those of the EU. It is also required that their environmental policies be in line with the EU strategy. This is required to be done through the “green agenda for the Western Balkans” and to be an integral part of the European investment plan for the Western Balkans.
The Council also emphasizes that the rule of law is a key element on which the dynamics of the progress of the Balkan countries in the process of European integration will depend.
In the part dedicated to Kosovo, the document states that the EU welcomes the confirmation of the new Government of Kosovo for its commitment to the European path and sees the related reforms as a strategic solution.
The conclusions document calls on Kosovo to implement the legislation in force and demonstrate results in the fight against corruption, as well as to implement reforms in line with European standards. Regarding the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, both countries are required to engage with goodwill in this process, in the spirit of compromise, to reach comprehensive, legally binding agreements.
“This agreement should address all open issues and contribute to regional stability. “This is key so that Kosovo and Serbia can move forward on their respective European path,” reads the draft conclusions.
“The Council reiterates its strong expectation that all agreements reached in the past will be respected and implemented without delay. “Both sides must also avoid actions that undermine stability and rhetoric, which is not conducive to dialogue.”
On Tuesday, some ministers called for the EU to do more for the Western Balkans region.
French Minister for European Affairs Clement Beaune has expressed concern about the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The same concern was expressed by Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, who criticized the separatist aspirations of Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of State of Croatia, Adreja Metelko-Zgombic, said that her country is committed to a unique, indivisible Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which the three entities enjoy equal rights./ REL
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