Commenting to mark the Western Balkans Conference that begins today in Poznan, Poland the European Green Party co-chairs Reinhard Bütikofer and Monica Frassoni said:
“The European Union risks fomenting a nationalist revival in the Western Balkans if it stalls the process to open the door to accession talks for the region. Recent comments by French President Macron dismissing the prospect of EU enlargement were deeply unhelpful and undermine the delicate task of reaching consensus.”
Opening talks has already been postponed twice against the recommendations of the European Commission.
“There is no reason internal EU reform and accession talks cannot be conducted simultaneously. Another rejection in October this year could jeopardise the whole process and lead to a renewal of tensions that would be disastrous for the EU as a whole. It is essential that European ministers meeting in Poznan today take into account North Macedonia’s herculean effort to end a centuries-long border conflict with Greece and pave the way for a fair and objective process,” the two co-chairs added.
