Hahn: We recommend opening negotiations

Hahn: We recommend opening negotiations

The European Commission's Enlargement Package was presented to the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs today.

EU-Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, recommended the opening of negotiations for Albania and North Macedonia.

Hahn stressing that, despite the difficulties in the Balkans, these candidate countries made substantial progress.

“Albania and North Macedonia have embraced the opportunity of the reinvigorated enlargement agenda, and delivered on reforms.

“North Macedonia not only continued its ambitious reform agenda, but also reached a historic agreement with Greece, resolving a 27-year old name dispute, setting an example for the entire region and beyond.

“Albania is pursuing profound reforms, in particular a major transformation of its justice system. All these efforts are testimony to the power of attraction of the European Union,” said Hahn.

Still, much remains to be done, according to Hahn, especially in the area of rule of law, but he added that the European Union must keep their promises to the candidate countries.

The European Commission said that Albania has continued to make progress on its EU reform agenda throughout the reporting period. It was also noted that strong polarisation persisted in the political sphere.

“Albania is “moderately prepared” in what concerns the reform of its public administration.

“Albania’s judicial system has some level of preparation, as it does in the fight against corruption,” the European Commission said.

On fundamental rights, Albania complies overall with international human rights conventions and has developed its legal framework in line with European standards, according to the report.

With regard to good neighbourly relations and regional co-operation, Albania has continued to participate actively and maintain good neighbourly relations. Important steps have also been taken to address bilateral issues with Greece.

Albania has made some progress and is moderately prepared in developing a functioning market economy and continued to align its legislation to EU requirements in a number of areas, enhancing its ability to assume the obligations of membership, the Commission said.

During the meeting with the MEPs it was emphasized that Brussels should confirm the achievements of the two countries, as it relates to the credibility of the EU.

Commissioner Hahn also stressed that Western Balkan countries urgently need to fight unemployment, as this phenomenon has fueled migration, as well as a low birth rate.

From a geostrategic point of view, the Commission underlined China's investment in the Balkans which, a country that continues to provide investment despite the difficulties in the region.

Regarding the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue, the Commissioner stressed the need to reach a binding legal agreement for both countries and underlined that the imposition of tariffs by Kosovo on Serbian goods has damaged the dialogue.

With regard to Serbia, during the presentation of the enlargement package, the need to reform the judiciary and problems with media freedom were underlined.

From the data so far, France, the Netherlands and Belgium continue to oppose the commencement of negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia in June, although they did not refute the possibility of a change in attitude.

If the German parliament succeeds in approving the negotiations with the countries in early June, then the issue can be put on the agenda of the EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on June 18th, where harsh debates between member states are expected in a similar fashion to that which were observed last year.

The decisions of member states will however be guided by the conclusions of the European Commission reports.



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