This year key for EU enlargement, says Varhelyi

This year is key for EU enlargement due to changes in the way it is done and with new Balkan members bringing opportunities to the EU community, said EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi at the EU Meets the Balkans conference in Sofia on Tuesday.

This year’s forum is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the first enlargement of the EU.

The conference in Sofia included representatives of EU institutions, foreign affairs ministers, politicians, NGOs, and citizens who discussed the European integration of the Western Balkans and the challenges facing the community and the region. The forum was organised by the European Liberal Forum, supported by ALDE and the Atlantic Club in Bulgaria.

“The perception of Europe has been put to another test. Russian aggression in Ukraine caused complications in some European countries. According to them, only their joining the EU will guarantee them peace and prosperity, and EU membership leads to exactly that,” Varhelyi said, adding that all countries must be ready for bold decisions.

According to him, the main step is to integrate the people and economies of the countries of the Western Balkans as quickly as possible. The reason is that the development of the Western Balkans before joining the EU will enable them to integrate much more successfully later.

Varhelyi said that the Balcan countries are attracting more and more investments in Europe, and geographically they are very well located. He underlined, however, that the countries of the region that wish to join the EU have to go through the relevant reforms that the Commission set as a condition for membership.

The Commissioner gave the example of the energy sector, which is outdated and heavily reliant on coal, which raises questions about harmful emissions and health risks.

“There are historic deficits, on some of which there is no progress. We need to ensure better connectivity, a digital economy and direct investment to create new jobs. The EU must take all decisions, big or small, for the expansion in the direction of the Western Balkans”, Varhelyi believes.

He highlighted other priorities, including the rule of law and the fight against corruption. According to him, there are good examples like Albania, which has started a major reform in the judicial system, but in general, the road is long and there are many problems to solve.

“The fight against corruption and organised crime, as well as the rule of law, are essential elements of any investment climate,” the Commissioner added.

The Executive Director of the European Liberal Forum, Alva Finn, commented that the countries of the Western Balkans should not be left waiting. “The process should be more dynamic and the countries should not wait for years,” she urged, adding that the enlargement is of crucial importance not only for Ukraine and the Western Balkans, but also for finally finishing the European project.

According to the MEP and co-chairman of the ALDE party, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, the discussion on the European Union’s enlargement policy should be much more thorough.

(Antoinia Kotseva | EURACTIV.bg)