Members of the European Parliament debated with the EU Commissioner for enlargement Johannes Hahn on the progress made by the five Western Balkan towards the EU accession. The debate was followed by the vote where Rapports for all five countries were adopted. Statements by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur on Serbia, Igor ŠOLTES (Greens/EFA, SI), Rapporteur on Kosovo, Ivo VAJGL (ALDE, SI), Rapporteur on Republic of Macedonia , Knut FLECKENSTEIN (S&D, DE), Rapporteur on Albania, Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), Rapporteur on Montenegro, and Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.

Brussels

debate

plenary session

Enlargement to North Macedonia (T)

EU - Kosovo (T)

vote

McALLISTER, David (EPP, DE)

TANNOCK, Timothy Charles Ayrton (ECR, UK)

HAHN, Johannes (AT, EC)

ŠOLTES, Igor (Greens/EFA, SI)

EU - Montenegro (T)

FLECKENSTEIN, Knut (S&D, DE)

EU - Albania (T)

VAJGL, Ivo (ALDE, SI)

Enlargement to the Western Balkans countries (T)

European integration process of the Western Balkans: extracts from the debates on the 2018 rapports on Serbia, Kosovo, FYROM, Montenegro (28/11) and from the votes

SOUNDBITE (English), David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur on Serbia, Regional cooperation and good neighbouring relations. We all know Serbia's EU accession process is closely linked to normalisation of relations with Kosovo. Agreements need to be concluded and afterwards implemented. That is said, both sides, Belgrade and Pristina, should continue to move forward with the full implementation of all the already reached agreements in a good faith and in a timely manner.

SOUNDBITE (Slovenian), Igor &#352;OLTES (Greens/EFA, SI), Rapporteur on Kosovo, The Commission and the Parliament have given the green light to this process. I believe now, we actually need  to fulfill our commitment and provide the visa liberalisation in Kosovo, it will mean equal treatment to all people in the region.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, The discussion is over-shadowed by what has been happening in the last weeks in Kosovo. The recent decisions by the Kosovo government to impose a trade tariff increase up to one hundred percent against Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are very concerning and doing a real harm to the relations with Kosovo and the regional cooperation ambitions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, These decisions are clear violation of the Central European Free Trade agreement and, contrary, to the spirit of the stabilisation of the association agreement between the European Union and Kosovo. 

SOUNDBITE (Slovenian), Ivo VAJGL (ALDE, SI), Rapporteur on Republic of Macedonia , Their membership will ensure the most reliable future for this country, for its current and future generations, for its citizens. And this will also be a good contribution towards the stability and progress of the entire region of the South East Europe.

SOUNDBITE (Slovenian), Ivo VAJGL (ALDE, SI), Rapporteur on Republic of Macedonia , The Government and the Parliament has a very tough job - first to implement the agreements with the Greek government on the institutional changes. This will end a year-old dispute on the name.

SOUNDBITE (German), Knut FLECKENSTEIN (S&amp;D, DE), Rapporteur on Albania, We need to encourage Albania to continue on the road that they have now embarked upon. And this is the way towards stable democratic institutions and towards a functioning rule of law. The way to achieve that is to accede to the EU, ultimately.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), Rapporteur on Montenegro, Court proceedings, concerning the coup plot continue and, whilst we wait to see the final judgments, I have little doubt that events played out in the way, that the prosecution is now arguing.The general political climate has improved since then, and handling of these cases proved the robustness of Montenegro&rsquo;s strengthening democracy and legal system.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, The European Commission&rsquo;s Western Balkans strategy, the main Sofia declaration and the June council conclusions are all representing a clear signal of encouragement and EUs engagement with Montenegro and the whole region. As I said earlier, the EU is in a unique position to help addressing the countrie's challenges. The European perspective is of crucial importance for the stability of the whole region.

Results of the vote on Serbia ( 503 voted for, 85 voted against, 47 abstensions) and opening of the vote on Kosovo

Results of the vote on Kosovo ( 393 voted for, 139 voted against, 71 abstentions) 

Opening of the vote on the Republic of Macedonia

Results of the vote on the Republic of Macedonia ( 470 voted for, 116 voted against, 46 abstentions) 

Results of the vote on Albania (459 voted for, voted 112 against, 62 abstentions) and the opening of the vote on Montenegro

Results of the vote on Montenegro ( 484 voted for, 80 voted against, 63 abstentions) 