TIRANA, May 17 – The EU-Western Balkan Summit that took place in Sofia on Thursday between the European Union and the region’s six EU aspirants reportedly approved a declaration to improve infrastructural relations, as well as security, the fight against radicalization and migration.
However, there was lukewarm reception on firm enlargement dates among Western Balkan states, and Albania’s bid to open membership negotiations in June appears up in the air as several key EU states have not indicated whether they will support the move.
An official EU declaration highlighted the EU salutes the WB partners’ common commitment to Europea values and their vision of a strong, united and stable Europe based on historic, cultural and geographic ties and common political, economic and security interests.
Referring to the 2003 Thessaloniki Summit, the EU restated its clear support on the WB’s European perspective and is determined to strengthen its engagement on all levels to support the region’s economic, political and social development.
The EU aims to do this by increasing assistance based on the level of tangible improvement in the rule of law and socio-economic reforms undertaken by the WB partners.
In addition, the declaration states the EU is expecting the WB engagement in making democracy and the rule of law a top priority, especially in reinforcing the fight against organized crime and corruption and improving good governance and minority rights.
Among others, the EU also said it “supports the WB partners engagement to further strengthen good neighborly relations, regional stability and two-way cooperation.”
This should be done in accordance to bilateral and binding agreements signed to lastingly resolve historically rooted disagreements between WB neighbors, according to the declaration.
The language used in the declaration became a point of debate among EU states, especially those who have not recognized Kosovo as a country. In this context, the WB six were referred to as “partners” as per Spain’s request which, due to its Catalonia independence problem, expressed objections in attending the summit in Kosovo’s presence.
On top of this measure, EU member state representatives and summit participants were only represented through name tags rather than their countries or political functions.
Despite these diplomatic measures, Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy did not attend the summit.
Meanwhile, international observers pointed out that whereas “EU expansion” was a keyword during the Thessaloniki 2003 Summit, mentioning expansion was avoided in Sofia this year.
Prior to the summit, EU Council President Donald Tusk said the gathering will be a good chance for both sides “to emphasize the European future remains a geostrategic choice for the Balkans.”
“We would to demonstrate that we care about the region’s economic and social development. Investing in infrastructure and human resources within the Western Balkans is also in the EU’s best interest . ..we hope to bring our WB friends closer,” Tusk said.
The Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, whose country will take over the EU Presidency on July 1, also said “the aim is to support all Western Balkan countries in their EU journey,” adding he sees perspective for the region.
French President Emmanuel Macron, on the other hand, who since the EU Commission recommended the opening of accession negotiations for Albania and Macedonia has expressed doubts over it, said every new expansion should be examined carefully and strictly.
“I am in favor of the Balkans’ anchoring to Europe and their movement towards it. But I don’t agree with walking towards expansion before having all necessary assurances and real reforms to deepen and improve EU functionality,” local media reported Macron saying.
According to Macron, experience from the last 15 years of EU history show Europe became weaker every time it expanded.
“I don’t think we serve candidate states or the EU by using a mechanism that in a way lacks rules and continues to move towards bigger expansion,” Macron added.
EU representatives also said the union will not consider expansion towards any state that has not fully resolved bilateral conflicts with neighbors, highlighting good neighborly relations are essential for a region still suffering from the 90s wars’ open wounds.
Local media also reported that top European leaders met for an informal dinner on Wednesday evening to address other challenges the EU is facing.
Tusk said that “to be a subject and not an object of global politics, Europe must be united economically, politically and militarily as never before.”
He said that in addition to traditional political challenges, such as China’s influence and the aggressive approach of Russia, now Europe is facing a new phenomenon, which he called a capricious administrative approach by the United States.
“Seeing Trump’s recent decisions, someone would say, with such friends, who needs enemies?” said Mr. Tusk, criticizing President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal with Iran but also imposing tariffs on imports of aluminum and steel, in the name of national security.
