In a joint declaration on Thursday 17 May, supported by Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia, the European leaders underlined their unequivocal support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans, recalling the Thessaloniki summit of 2003.
"The region is set. It is subject to great destabilisation, pressure, and could, through history, through pressure, turn towards Russia and Turkey, and that would be bad for the EU", France's President Emmanuel Macron stated. "If we want to continue to be a strong actor for the Western Balkans, there is a need for a clear European perspective in the region", Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz added.
However, contrary to the Thessaloniki declaration, the leaders do not explicitly mention these six countries' future accession to the EU. Kosovo's independence is not recognised by five member states. The Spanish prime minister furthermore boycotted the summit due to Kosovo attending.
European Council President Donald Tusk wanted to be reassuring. "I don't see another future for the Western Balkans than the EU. There is no other alternative. There is no Plan B", he said. But Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boiko Borissov did not hide his irritation at the hesitation of some and called for perspective. He said the Western Balkans accounted for 17 million inhabitants and a GDP, if taken all together, of €96 billion – in other words that of Slovakia. "That's the entity that frightens Western media", he said. But Tusk responded that while the GDP or the population were not "a big problem" if they are compared to other parts of Europe, "when we speak about troubles per inhabitant, it is more important than France or Germany". "We must be optimistic and careful with our promises", he added.
In short, "strategic dialogue needs to be encouraged, without laxity or hypocrisy", Macron said – who wants to reform Europe before any new accession.
Strengthening ties
While waiting for these countries to join the EU, the statement of the 28 member states, supported by the six countries, underlines the EU's determination to strengthen and intensify its action at all levels in order to support the region's political, economic and social transformation. According to the EU28, this will especially happen through increased assistance, based on the tangible progress made by the Western Balkans partners in the area of the rule of law and on the socio-economic reforms of the Western Balkans. Speaking before media, several heads of state or government underlined the values of the EU that need to be respected before joining it.
For the EU, the establishment of a dense network of connections and possibilities within the region and with the EU is a key element to bring EU and Western Balkans citizens and economies closer, as well as to strengthen political stability, economic prosperity and cultural and social development. The EU28 thus commit to significantly improving connectivity in all its dimensions – transport, energy and digital, economic and human aspects.
In an annex attached to the final declaration, the Europeans highlight numerous initiatives for improving the situation in the Balkans. This Sofia priority agenda is based on the European Commission's communication adopted on 6 February to improve citizens' lives more swiftly in the areas of connectivity and security, taking into account the European perspective of the Western Balkans. These measures focus on six areas. The first is strengthening support to the rule of law and good governance, especially strengthening support to reform of the judiciary and efforts to fight corruption and organised crime or extending advisory missions on the rule of law.
The EU28 will promote reconciliation and good neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans, bringing support to the will of these countries to strengthen these relations, to regional stability and mutual cooperation, highlighting the resolution of bilateral disputes.
Saying that the EU and these Western Balkans countries were confronted with many common challenges on security, which require coordinated collective and individual actions, the EU28 intend to strengthen their commitment on security and migration. The fight against terrorism and extremism, including the financing, radicalisation and return of foreign terrorist fighters, needs increased cooperation, the EU says. It also highlights the significant strengthening of operational cooperation against international organised crime. According to the declaration, cooperation on migration and border management will have to be deepened. The development of collaboration in activities linked to hybrid threats, or the deepening and development of cooperation and dialogue on common foreign and security policy, are other areas for action.
Support for socio-economic development with special emphasis on young people is also highlighted. "We agreed to double the Erasmus+ programme to enable more young people to study in the EU", Tusk announced. The EU28 also want to ensure progress in implementation of the regional economic area, between the six Western Balkans countries.
The digital agenda for the Balkans is another priority. The member states intend to launch a digital agenda, including a roadmap to facilitate the reduction of roaming charges. A statement of intent on this agenda was signed by the Western Balkans leaders at the end of the summit. Substantial technical assistance is also expected to be started in order to identify potential digital investment.
In addition, the EU will launch a new packet of connectivity infrastructure projects, with significant European subsidies in order to produce a leverage effect. The EU is pushing to extend the Energy Union to the Balkans and for the start of the implementation of the treaty.
According to Tusk, a new EU-Balkans summit will take place in 2020, under Croatian Presidency, "which is the best illustration that the integration of the Western Balkans is an absolute priority for the EU". (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)