EU - Western Balkans relations | Ipse by Context

Ursula von der Leyen

Inserted 2 months ago

“We have realised that it is not enough to just wait for the Western Balkans to move closer to us. It is not enough to say that the door is open. We must also take responsibility, and support their path towards our union in any possible way... More progress has been achieved in just over a year than in over a decade. First, Bosnia and Herzegovina is now fully aligned with our foreign and security policy, which is crucial in these times of geopolitical turmoil. The country is showing that it can deliver on the membership criteria, and on its citizens' aspiration to be part of our family. The message coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina is clear. So our message must be clear too. The future of Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in our union.”

Aljazeera

President of the European Commission

12 Mar 2024 1 5

Emmanuel Macron

Inserted 2 years ago

“That region is going through new tensions today. History is coming back. Sometimes tragedy is coming back. Today we have a special responsibility towards the Western Balkans. EU should pursue a policy of re-engagement, but also investment in order to favor the economic integration of the region; develop human exchange, raise the issue of minorities present in the region, but also fight against influence and manipulation who want to destabilise Europe through the Balkans. I believe that this political and economic work towards the Western Balkans is a real sovereignty agenda for our Europe because we cannot build a peaceful Europe in the next 50 years if we leave the Western Balkans in the current situation. That means clarifying its European perspective, reinvesting to the region and its unity and to have a common ambition for the decades to come.”

Europeanwesternbalkans

President of France

09 Dec 2021 7 3

Maciej Popowski

Inserted 2 years ago

“The delay on the adoption of the negotiating frameworks with Albania and North Macedonia had the consequences on the entire region… We don't want to lose the Balkans, and the citizens. The overall level of support (for EU enlargement) is still high, but it cannot be taken for granted.”

Europeanwesternbalkans

Acting Director-General of the Directorate General Neighbourhood and Enlargement

09 Nov 2021 4 3

Sebastian Kurz

Inserted 2 years ago

“If the European Union does not offer this region [Western Balkans] a real perspective, we have to be aware that other superpowers … will play a bigger role there.”

Aljazeera

Austrian Chancellor

06 Oct 2021 (approx) 3 6

Janez Janša

Inserted 2 years ago

“If the EU doesn't expand, others will expand.”

Rferl

Prime Minister of Slovenia

06 Oct 2021 2 5

Ursula von der Leyen

Inserted 2 years ago

“We want them [six Western Balkans states] in the European Union, we are one European family. We share the same history, we share the same values, and I'm deeply convinced we share the same destiny too. I know that still work has to be done, for example, on the rule of law, on the judiciary, on the freedom of the media, to name some. But I think we should also acknowledge the effort that has been done in the past and the progress that has been done.”

Rferl

President of the European Commission

06 Oct 2021 5 6

Charles Michel

Inserted 2 years ago

“The focus will be on intensifying our engagement to foster the region's socio-economic recovery and sustainable development, and building back better after the pandemic on the basis of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. The President of the European Parliament will also participate in this session. This would also be an important occasion to discuss how to ensure the stability of the region, strengthen regional cooperation and resolve regional conflicts.”

Europeanwesternbalkans

President of the European Council

04 Oct 2021 5 4

Ursula von der Leyen

Inserted 2 years ago

“Building bridges between people, countries, and cultures, that is so crucial for our common future. Because Bosnia and Herzegovina, and all the Western Balkans, belong in the European Union. It is in our common interest, but I also believe, it is our destiny.”

Rferl

President of the European Commission

30 Sep 2021 2 4

Ardian Hackaj

Inserted 2 years ago

“Angela Merkel has shown great commitment to the region's [Western Balkans] progress in reforms and membership on the road to the EU. She has also paid great attention to civil society representatives.”

Europeanwesternbalkans

Executive Director of the Center for Cooperation and Development (CDI) in Tirana

16 Sep 2021 4 4

Stefan Holthof-Fertner

Inserted 2 years ago

“The path you [Montenegro] have taken is arduous and long, but it is impressive that you are following it. Without the accession of the Western Balkan countries to the European Union, the EU is not complete either.”

Balkaneu

Minister for Federal and European Affairs of the Federal Province of North Rhine-Westphalia

15 Sep 2021 4 3

Ursula von der Leyen

Inserted 2 years ago

“The European Union and the United States will always be stronger together. And of course the same goes for our neighbours in the Western Balkans. Before the end of the month, I will travel to the region to send a strong signal of our commitment to the accession process. We owe it to all those young people who believe in future in Europe.”

Europeanwesternbalkans

President of the European Commission

15 Sep 2021 4 3

Government of Montenegro

Inserted 2 years ago

“On that occasion, Chancellor Merkel especially pointed out that Montenegro is the most advanced country - a candidate for membership in the European Union, emphasizing the importance of the idea of a common regional economic market, which, according to her, can benefit all Western Balkan countries. At the working lunch, the need to continue working within the Berlin Process in the coming years, as one of the most important diplomatic initiatives since 2014, whose goal is the enlargement of the European Union, was additionally emphasized.”

Balkaneu

Statement by the Government of Montenegro

14 Sep 2021 6 7

Janez Janša

Inserted 2 years ago

“The problem is that 90 percent of the topis in the EU institutions are not dedicated to the strategic goal of enlargement. The topic Is how to expel some members and thus not expand the EU, but reduce it.”

Europeanwesternbalkans

Prime Minister of Slovenia

01 Sep 2021 3 3

David Sassoli

Inserted 2 years ago

“[Countries of the Western Balkans are part of the history of the EU, with whose members they share a common identity] That is why we must be committed to the EU enlargement process. Those countries want to become a part of the European family.”

Europeanwesternbalkans

President of the European Parliament

01 Sep 2021 3 2

Charles Michel

Inserted 2 years ago

“We started with six members, a now there are 27 of us, and even enlargement has made the EU better, as a union of ideas, solidarity, innovation and diversity. We know the European Union is important to the Western Balkans. But the Western Balkans are important to the EU. Together we can dear and build our European future for a better world.”

Europeanwesternbalkans

President of the European Council

01 Sep 2021 4 2

Piero Fassino

Inserted 2 years ago

“There can be no doubt that geopolitical neglect on the part of the European Union, whose agenda since 2010 has been taken up almost entirely by financial stability and the internal budget issues, has left the Balkans alone and prey to their historical fears and mutual distrust. Moreover, the European Union's sluggish and hesitant approach has opened up the Balkans to other major players, from China to Russia, Turkey and the Arab countries. The vaccines situation is emblematic: they first arrived from Moscow, Beijing and Ankara rather than from Brussels. All this has weakened Europe's credibility and has given rise to disillusionment and frustration in the chancelleries and the general public of the Balkans.”

Europeanwesternbalkans

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy

11 Aug 2021 6 6

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EU - Western Balkans relations

“The delay on the adoption of the negotiating frameworks with Albania and North Macedonia had the consequences on the entire region… We don't want to lose the Balkans, and the citizens. The overall level of support (for EU enlargement) is still high, but it cannot be taken for granted.”

“If the European Union does not offer this region [Western Balkans] a real perspective, we have to be aware that other superpowers … will play a bigger role there.”

“If the EU doesn't expand, others will expand.”

“Building bridges between people, countries, and cultures, that is so crucial for our common future. Because Bosnia and Herzegovina, and all the Western Balkans, belong in the European Union. It is in our common interest, but I also believe, it is our destiny.”

“Angela Merkel has shown great commitment to the region's [Western Balkans] progress in reforms and membership on the road to the EU. She has also paid great attention to civil society representatives.”

“The path you [Montenegro] have taken is arduous and long, but it is impressive that you are following it. Without the accession of the Western Balkan countries to the European Union, the EU is not complete either.”

“The problem is that 90 percent of the topis in the EU institutions are not dedicated to the strategic goal of enlargement. The topic Is how to expel some members and thus not expand the EU, but reduce it.”

“[Countries of the Western Balkans are part of the history of the EU, with whose members they share a common identity] That is why we must be committed to the EU enlargement process. Those countries want to become a part of the European family.”

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