In Sofia on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 October, the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU and European Commissioners Dimitris Avramopoulos (Home Affairs and Migration) and Věra Jourová (Justice) reminded their counterparts in the Western Balkan countries (Montenegro, Serbia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo) of the importance of effective cooperation.
On Thursday, the ministerial meeting focused on the subject of justice and provided the Estonian minister, Urmas Reinsalu, with an opportunity to discuss the strengthening of the legal systems in the region. The Commission will help these countries set out criteria for consolidating their systems and improving their evaluation. This is due to be done next year.
The Estonian minister also encouraged his counterparts to improve management of delays in the processing of legal cases by using more digital technology. Jourová pointed out that the rule of law was a priority and that work should still focus on the fight against corruption.
On Friday, Avramopoulos said he welcomed the fact that the Balkans route had been stabilised. Nonetheless, he also explained that the activity of traffickers and migrant smugglers had not been halted. He called for greater cooperation between these countries and Europol.
This ministerial meeting also provided an opportunity for Avramopoulos to reassure the partners of the Western Balkans about certain initiatives taken recently to give a sense of security to arrivals in the EU, particularly by way of the ETIAS travel authorisation required for travellers with visa waivers (see EUROPE 11887). This initiative should not be seen as a means to restrain the comings and goings of travellers from the Western Balkans and the countries in this region that benefit from visa liberalisation.
Avramopoulos highlighted the fact that there was now no question of suspending these visa waiver systems, as new legislation allows, because everyone has an interest in the systems currently in force
Estonia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Andrus Anvelt stated that the priorities in this cooperation should focus on the fight against people smugglers and arms trafficking, particularly because many attacks have affected the European Union. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)