The European Union will, in its future foreign and security policy and enlargement strategy, primarily support Ukraine in defending itself against Russian aggression. In its enlargement policy toward the Western Balkans, the EU will reward candidates that implement reforms, assist in reconciliation, and foster regional cooperation, but it rejects the resolution of the Kosovo issue through territorial division.
This was stated in a presentation by the proposed EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and the candidate for Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, who emphasized in the European Parliament that the EU’s twenty-seven member states will assist Kyiv in preparing for EU membership. The key geopolitical goal is for the Western Balkans to make tangible progress within the existing enlargement process.
The European Parliament must confirm the candidates for high positions proposed by the European Commission. During her hearing before the Parliament, Kaja Kallas stressed that clear results in the enlargement process are needed in the next five years, as this is of geostrategic interest to Europe.
Marta Kos stated that “the division of Kosovo is not an option,” adding that neither the EU nor she herself is focused on that. She responded to a question from a Slovenian MEP about whether she believes that “the solution to the Kosovo problem, which is being discussed again, is the division of territory with Serbia,” a proposal that was on the table during the previous administration of Donald Trump, who has now been re-elected as President of the United States.
So far, little has been revealed about the future policy of the Trump administration toward the Western Balkans. The elected U.S. president reportedly said at one campaign rally that the current administration of Joe Biden in Washington “has made empty promises to the Western Balkans.”
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The proposed Commissioner for Enlargement emphasized that the rule of law is a fundamental principle for the EU and a key condition in all partnership agreements with membership candidates. She also stressed that without the consolidation of European values and democracy, there is no entry into the Union.
“Because,” as she explained, “if reforms and commitments are not implemented, there will be no funding from EU funds, neither for Serbia nor for Kosovo, nor for any other candidate.”
There are no shortcuts, Marta Kos stated, and only the quality of reforms will determine the speed of EU membership, especially in areas like the rule of law, judicial independence, and the fight against corruption.
Candidates who implement reforms will be rewarded and will progress in the membership process, gaining access to EU single market sectors. However, she made it clear that those who lag behind or fail to meet conditions will be set back.
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Source: Nova.rs
Photo: EPA-EFE/OLIVIER HOSLET