The European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, said that it is in the interest of the European Union that enlargement takes place soon. He spoke at the “EU Meets the Balkans” forum in Sofia on Monday, the Bulgarian news agency BTA reported.
Várhelyi said the geopolitical context has changed over the past few years. In addition to the Russian war in Ukraine, there is another conflict nearby, as well as the Covid crisis. Countries that are close to the borders of the EU are more affected by these crises.
Várhelyi pointed out that the enlargement policy refers to clear geopolitical investments. The EU’s neighbors are its long-term partners for peace and prosperity – that’s how they see their membership, but that’s how the EU should also see the role of enlargement.
The necessary reforms should be implemented together in order to speed up the accession process of each country, the Commissioner for Enlargement said. He also emphasized that it is important that each country respects its obligations.
The current European Commission began its mandate with three candidate countries, and now there are nine. Three countries have received the green light to open accession negotiations. There is now a clear agenda to accelerate real integration. This means bridging the economic gap, said the commissioner. The next European Commission should welcome new EU members, he added.
Montenegro has already reached the final stage, which means closing the negotiation chapters; the country’s new government is fulfilling its obligations, Várhelyi said. It is expected that the first group of negotiation chapters will be opened for Albania. As far as Serbia is concerned, accession negotiations should continue, he commented.
The EU Meeting with the Balkans Forum is organized by the European Liberal Forum, the ALDE party and the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria, with the support of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fena reports.
