The leaders of Austria, Germany, Spain, Luxembourg and Ireland supported the opening of negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of the European Council meeting in Brussels, reports Anadolu news agency.
On the eve of the summit in Brussels, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed satisfaction that the European Union is progressing in the enlargement process, and that the next steps can be offered to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“It is a good message that we are moving forward in the enlargement process. In any case, I am very much in favor of the fact that, after the many efforts that have been made in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we should now take the next steps for this country, as we have already made it possible for many others,” said Scholz.
The Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Luc Frieden, said that he supports the opening of negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and that it is very important.
“The decision to open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina is very important. Europe is a continent of peace and stability and we must be sure not to lose people in the Western Balkans. I support the European Commission’s decision to open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Frieden.
He emphasized that Brussels must not only focus on Ukraine, but that they must look at what is happening in the Western Balkans.
“These people have been waiting for years to join. The negotiations give them hope. It is an element that encourages reforms in all countries. In the medium term, all the countries of the Western Balkans belong to the European Union,” said the Prime Minister of Luxembourg and added that it will be a long process, but those people “must not be left alone and focus only on Ukraine”.
Leo Vardakar, the Prime Minister of Ireland, said that he believes that Bosnia and Herzegovina should be part of the EU and that he hopes that this country will successfully take the next step. He believes that accession will be difficult for Bosnia and Herzegovina due to the domestic authorities.
The Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, said that his country’s position is clear and that it supports the enlargement policy.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina needs that support, solidarity and empathy in order to be able to advance in the reforms that allow it to enter the European Union together with others – Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova as well as all the countries of the Western Balkans,” said Sanchez, stating that it is for Important for Spain from a geopolitical point of view, but also in the aspect of strengthening a unique and common European project.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer praised the efforts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and said that it is finally moving in the right direction.
In the draft conclusions of the European Council, which was published by the “Politico” newspaper, it is stated that the European Council calls for the opening of negotiations with BiH, but with a note that the negotiation framework should be adopted only after all relevant steps from the European Commission’s recommendation have been taken. These are 14 priorities that were originally a condition for opening negotiations.
