During the EP plenary session (5-8 February 2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the decision adopted on the EU Enlargement Strategy - Western Balkans. Statements by Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC, Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Victor BOŞTINARU (S&D, RO) and Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

Enlargement to Bosnia and Herzegovina (T)

Enlargement to North Macedonia (T)

Enlargement to Montenegro (T)

Enlargement to Albania (T)

Enlargement to Kosovo (T)

Enlargement to Serbia (T)

McALLISTER, David (EPP, DE)

MOGHERINI, Federica (IT, EC)

BOŞTINARU, Victor (S&D, RO)

TANNOCK, Timothy Charles Ayrton (ECR, UK)

HAHN, Johannes (AT, EC)

Enlargement to the Western Balkans countries (T)

Decision adopted on the EU Enlargement Strategy - Western Balkans: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC, The people and the leaders of the western Balkans have made a clear choice, the choice of bringing their countries inside the EU and today we are telling them: we have made the same choice. We are setting not a target, not a deadline, but we are setting a realistic perspective of timing, 2025, as a perspective. The process is merit based, it depends on the pace and the success of negotiations and reforms and let me stress this very clearly. This is a realistic perspective true for the countries that are currently negotiating but also is there for the countries that will start negotiations in the coming months.

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC, Let&rsquo;s make it happen, let&rsquo;s bring the Western Balkans inside the EU, not in a faraway future, but in our generation, on the basis of serious, concrete, tough work that we are ready to do together with our partners in the region.  

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, We confirm that the door of our Union remains open, is open beyond any doubt and with, as Federica Mogherini has already said, a 2025 perspective, not more and not less.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, The Western Balkan countries must now urgently tackle the key areas starting with the rule of law, fundamental rights and the fight against corruption and organised crime. Also the economic reforms and tacking high unemployment, the countries must significantly make progress. One thing is especially important: all countries must work even harder on reconciliation and to ensure good neighbouring relations. All pending bilateral issues must be settled in a binding way ahead of accession.

SOUNDBITE (German), David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), The entry will depend on the situation in those particular countries, they will have to admit the various conditions that must be fully met for them to be able to become members.

SOUNDBITE (English), Victor BO&#350;TINARU (S&amp;D, RO), Our Union is not completed, nor safe, neither stable, without the Western Balkans.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), 2025 is some way off still but we cannot ignore rising scepticism in some parts of the EU to all future enlargements with particular concerns about corruption and organised crime. And we may even see one referendum on the issue in France.