The Speakers of the parliaments of the Western Balkans, together with the President of the European Parliament and the Speaker of the Croatian parliament, representing the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU, called, on Tuesday 28 January, for the European Council to give "an unambiguous and positive political message" on opening of accession negotiations and granting of EU candidate status.
In their joint statement issued on the occasion of the first ever summit of the Speakers of the Parliaments of the Western Balkans, the Speakers called on EU leaders to continue to support the European perspective of the Western Balkans based on the fulfilment of the accession criteria, recalling that the Rule of Law is a cornerstone of the accession process. They also underline the importance of the participation of parliaments in the process.
"We urgently need to give new impetus to the enlargement process by achieving concrete results. The Zagreb summit could play a key role in this respect", said European Parliament President David Sassoli in a statement.
According to the declaration, this summit could "play a pivotal role in restoring the credibility of enlargement policy and giving the process a new and effective impetus through concrete conclusions that would bring the region closer to the EU and ensure the sustainability of the European perspective of the Western Balkans".
With the Commission due to present its proposal for a new methodology for the enlargement process on 5 February, the Speakers reaffirmed the full commitment of their parliaments "to participate in the reflections on a 'renewed approach' to enlargement in order for the process to become more democratic, more transparent and closer to the citizens and civil society".
The Speakers also wish, as preparations for the Conference on the Future of Europe gain momentum, that the six countries of the Western Balkans be fully associated with the work of the Conference. The participation of non-Member States has yet to be decided.
See the statement: http://bit.ly/3aTaris (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)