Positive signal from Brussels is vital for the Balkans!
Positive signal from Brussels is vital for the Balkans!
Paneuropa Austria welcomes statements by EU Commissioner Hahn regarding Albania and Macedonia.
In February 2018, the European Commission will present the new Western Balkans strategy. As the Paneuropa Movement Austria, we advocate for every country in the Balkans to be able to join the European Union – provided the necessary conditions are met. South-East Europe has long been a clearly European region, whose security and stability are essential for a peacefully united Europe.
“We therefore welcome the positive signal from Commissioner Hahn towards Albania and Macedonia,” says Karl von Habsburg, President of the Paneuropa Movement Austria. Hahn, who is responsible for enlargement within the Commission, stated in an interview that there could be a green light for the start of accession negotiations for Albania and Macedonia if both countries meet the reform requirements.
“It is crucial that the people of the Balkan states are fully integrated into a democratic Europe governed by the rule of law,” von Habsburg emphasises, because: “mere economic cooperation can also be offered by powers such as the USA, Saudi Arabia, or Russia!”
Accession negotiations are currently underway with Serbia. The start of negotiations has triggered an investment boom in Serbia; the economic figures are certainly good. The sticking point here will also be the relationship with Kosovo, which is not recognised by Serbia or several EU states.
Stefan Haböck, International Secretary of the Paneuropa Movement Austria, makes it clear: “The recognition of Kosovo by all EU member states – and thus, in the long run, by Serbia as well – must be a clear objective.” Furthermore, he calls on the states to finally grant Kosovo the long-promised visa liberalisation. “The fact that Kosovars, who are clearly Europeans, can travel to Turkey without a visa but are subjected to bureaucratic hurdles for the EU, can hardly be seen as a positive signal!” says Haböck.
