EU’s Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn says he is satisfied with the Western Balkans Strategy adopted in February, as it has triggered a new dynamic in the region. In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Commissioner Hahn said Macedonia made the most progress, noting, however, that all countries in the region have indeed made more progress than before.
Asked whether the year 2025 mentioned in the Strategy is too distant for the countries that want to join the EU, Hahn said that it was not too distant at all because the reforms to adapt to EU standards take a long time, as are not just about legislative changes, but also about actual application.
As he put it, taking into account the ratification procedures in some countries, one will recognise that this indicative date is “very ambitious, but feasible… Quality comes before speed!”
Hahn said that Macedonia had overcome a deep political crisis, making considerable progress in implementing the Przino Agreement and reform priorities under the new, reform-oriented and pro-European government.
“Finally, after 27 years of efforts under UN mediation, the name dispute between Skopje and Athens has been settled. This historical agreement marks a significant step towards the realisation of the country’s Euro-Atlantic perspective,” said Hahn, calling on political actors to work constructively to achieve this goal.
“In general, it can be said that all countries have made progress over the past year, albeit at different speeds and intensities. Montenegro and Serbia, which are currently the “frontrunners” when looking at the opening of chapters, have opened more of them in the past year, and they now have 31 and 14 chapters respectively out of a total of 35,” Hahn noted.
Albania has made good progress in implementing its reform priorities, especially when it comes to the very ambitious judicial reform and the government has also demonstrated unity in the fight against corruption and organised crime.
Albania, like Macedonia, is working on agreements to resolve open border issues and is generally seeking good neighbourly relations, Hahn said and pointed out that due to the substantial progress made by both countries, the European Commission has recommended opening accession negotiations with both countries.
Kosovo has fulfilled the remaining conditions for granting visa liberalisation, so that we were able to make a positive recommendation. Bosnia and Herzegovina provided answers to the Commission’s extensive list of questions, which is a condition for granting the candidate status, said the European Commissioner.
According to Hahn, the enlargement to the Western Balkans is more relevant than ever, especially in view of the increasing erosion of the rule-based world order.
“The Western Balkans are surrounded by EU Member States and belong to Europe geographically, historically and culturally,” Hahn said, stressing that it is in the best interest of the EU to ensure stability and prosperity in its immediate neighbourhood.
“My enlargement principle is exporting stability rather than importing instability. In that sense, the EU integration of the Western Balkans is an investment in security and stability of the Union. Not to forget the geo-strategic aspect: it would be unwise to leave behind a vacuum that other international actors, whose values do not agree with ours, make use of,” Hahn said.
When it comes to Turkey, considered by all Member States to be moving further away from the EU and its standards, Hahn believes that the dialogue with the country should continue at it remains an important partner from the geostrategic perspective.
In the long run, according to Hahn, it may be useful to think of new formats beyond the accession negotiations, the conditions of which Turkey is unable or unwilling to fulfil.
