EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn confirms the intention to recommend the opening of Albania’s accession negotiations within the first 6 months of 2018.
“We clearly aim this”.
But in an interview with journalist of Tv Klan, Erisa Zykaj, he underlines that this up to the candidate countries, which should show concrete results rather than partial reforms.
“When we talk about a recommendation, this is the task of the European Commission. It is my goal to present the recommendation during the Bulgarian presidency. But as you know, the most famous word in the region is “almost”. So I might answer you that this “almost” will happen, but I tell our partners in the region to forget “almost” and tell me that things are done and once they have been performed and presented , you will hear about the recommendation of the Commission I intend to do during the Bulgarian presidency”.
Brussels formalized an enlargement strategy for Western Balkan countries, but what it offers for countries such as Albania and Macedonia.
“It means that for each country it becomes clear that all others are ultimately candidates, they have a prospect for EU membership. Yes, membership will be based on the merits of each country and if one country is more advanced than the other there is no reason to wait, as this would not be fair”.
In addition to internal reforms, Commissioner Hahn urges Balkan countries to resolve open issues with neighbors such as Kosovo and Serbia.
“The position of EU member states is not to accept any new country with unresolved bilateral problems or problems with neighbors. All this should be solved”.
The Enlargement Commissioner also urges member states to convince their citizens of the need to expand the Balkan market./tvklan.al
