The vetting for judges and prosecutors is the strongest evidence that negotiations with Albania have started and next year will be the next step in this process. That is what Commissioner Hahn said about the skepticism of French President Emmanuel Macron for the integration of Western Balkan countries.
Johannes Hahn, EU Enlargement Commissioner:
I am very confident that the negotiations with Albania and Macedonia will be opened next year. The Vetting process shows the readiness that for these countries, negotiations have already started. Our goal is to get a green light for all countries in the middle of next year.
Hahn raises the alarm on China’s influence in the Western Balkans and the use of regional countries as “Trojans” when they join the EU.
“Combining the Chinese system of capitalism and dictatorship may put Balkan leaders alongside Beijing. China has made some important investments in infrastructure, as is the case of the famous highway in Montenegro. We need to be aware of China’s strategy and react in our own way. This will be one of Europe’s biggest challeng
es”.
Enlargement Commissioner says the EU is currently facing two elections, exporting stability to the Balkans, or importing into the Union of instability that may come with the countries’ membership in the region./tvklan.al
