EU Enlargement: Veto Threats and Constant Delays are Unsolidary and Short-sighted

EU enlargement is clearly in Europe’s strategic interest and must not be a plaything for Macron’s self-interest!

“The renewed postponement of a decision to open negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia is a disgrace,” states Paneuropa Secretary General Rainhard Kloucek. “This is petty nation-state politics instead of European policy.”

President Macron has announced several times that he intends to block enlargement as long as his own ideas for a restructuring of the EU are not implemented. Since he cannot find a majority for his reform projects, he is resorting to veto politics.

Since the Thessaloniki Summit in 2003—16 years ago—EU states have been promising the citizens of Southeast Europe the start of talks. So far, negotiations have only been opened with Serbia and Montenegro. North Macedonia was granted candidate status in 2005; in 2018, France and the Netherlands again blocked the start of talks. The country carried out a painful name change under pressure from Greece.

“It is high time to honour the Macedonians for their great efforts towards a peaceful solution and to support the rule-of-law-oriented reformers in Albania,” says Rainhard Kloucek. “Equally, it is time to end the visa regime against the citizens of Kosovo!”

“Europe cannot afford to further frustrate the reform-oriented, pro-European population in the Balkans through blockades,” warns International Affairs Officer Stefan Haböck, demanding: “France and the Netherlands must abandon their constant veto politics and support a common interest in Southeast Europe!”

The start of negotiations is by no means an accession. It is a process that spans many years, during which over 30 chapters are worked through step by step. If EU states wish to be credible in their Southeast Europe policy (“Western Balkans policy”), then reform efforts must be rewarded and promises kept.

The integration of Southeast Europe is of enormous importance from an economic, security policy, and rule of law perspective. Too many non-European powers are already seeking to exert their influence in the region.

The featured image shows the government district of Skopje.