Southeast Europe Must Remain an EU Commission Priority

New Commissioner for Enlargement Policy, Oliver Varhelyi, should champion a European perspective for the countries of Southeast Europe (Western Balkans) and the implementation of European values.

With today’s hearing before the European Parliament, Oliver Varhelyi has cleared the hurdle and will become the new Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy in President Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission. The Hungarian top diplomat will thus be responsible for negotiations with the six Western Balkan states, which are not yet in the EU, over the next five years.

“The opening of negotiations with the countries of Southeast Europe will be among the most important tasks of the next EU Commission,” states Paneuropa Secretary-General Rainhard Kloucek. However, it is not only the Commission that is called upon: “Above all, the EU member states must now set the appropriate course in the Council.”

“France’s veto against North Macedonia was a severe blow; Varhelyi will be challenged to regain the trust of the people in the Balkans in the EU,” emphasises Stefan Haböck, International Officer of Paneuropa Austria, and warns: “Europe cannot afford to further frustrate and thus lose the reform-oriented pro-European population in the Balkans through blockades!”

“The fundamental principle of former EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, that the EU must export stability, as otherwise it imports instability, showed foresight and is substantively correct,” says Philipp Jauernik, Chairman of Paneuropa Youth. “It is a question of the future for Europe’s security and stability that the new Commission continues to support the pro-European perspective of the Western Balkans and ensures further rapprochement.”

Key tasks will include strengthening the independence of the judiciary, intensifying the fight against corruption, and creating framework conditions for a market-oriented economy rather than an oligarchic one.

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.

Already in its position paper for the European elections, the Paneuropa Movement Austria called for, among other things, increased efforts to integrate the countries of Southeast Europe into the EU, immediate visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens, and a clear European perspective for Ukraine.

https://pan.thatscommunication.de/fuer-ein-starkes-europa-for-a-strong-europe/

The featured image shows Oliver Varhelyi at the hearing. Copyright: European Parliament