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SARAJEVO, February 6 (FENA) - In order to meet the EU membership criteria and in their own interest, the Western Balkans need to implement comprehensive reforms in crucial areas in the key areas, which are the rule of law, fundamental rights and governance, reads the European Union Enlargement Strategy for the Western Balkans.
Judicial reforms, the fight against corruption and organized crime, and public administration reform also need to deliver real results and the functioning of democratic institutions needs to be seriously enhanced. Economic reforms must be pursued with vigor so that structural weaknesses, low competitiveness and high unemployment rates are addressed.
"All countries must unequivocally commit, in both word and deed, to overcome the legacy of the past, by achieving reconciliation and solving open issues, in particular border disputes, well before accession to the European Union. There needs to be a comprehensive, legally-binding normalisation agreement between Serbia and Kosovo so that they can advance on their respective European paths," reads the Strategy.
The EU’s enlargement policy must be part and parcel of the larger strategy to strengthen the Union by 2025 set out by President Juncker in his State of the Union speech of September 2017 and his Roadmap for a More United, Stronger and more Democratic Union. While the EU could become larger than 27 Members, the dynamics of moving forward on their respective EU paths for all Western Balkans is based on their own merits and at their own speed depending on the concrete results achieved.
"The Commission will start preparing an Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina‘s membership application following receipt of comprehensive and complete answers to its Questionnaire. With sustained effort and engagement, Bosnia and Herzegovina could become a candidate for accession," it is stated.
The Strategy highlights that leaders in the region must leave no doubt as to their strategic orientation and commitment. It is them that ultimately must assume responsibility for making this historical opportunity a reality.
The Strategy presents the very essence of the challenges which the countries of the Western Balkans face on their European paths. What is new is the strong renewed encouragement for the partners to address the necessary reforms and give guidance on the steps needed in order to advance as quickly as possible on the paths towards EU accession.
"The enlargement perspective of the Western Balkans is first and foremost in the hands of the countries themselves. They must act with determination and urgently redouble their efforts, address vital reforms – notably in the area of rule of law, independence of the judiciary and fundamental rights – and complete their political, economic and societal transformation," it was stressed.
The flagship initiatives that the six countries need to implement by 2020 target specific areas of common interest: rule of law, security and migration, socio-economic development, transport and energy connectivity, digital agenda, reconciliation and good neighborly relations.
In order to support the implementation of the new flagship initiatives under this strategy, the Commission proposes to top up the existing funding for the Western Balkans until 2020 under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance in addition to the €1.07 billion already foreseen for the region for 2018, stated the PR Department of the EU Delegation to BiH.
(FENA)
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