The European Council should ask the European Commission, the High Representative of the Union and the EU Council, at its Summit on 23-24 June, to go forward with the “progressive integration” between the EU and the Western Balkans region “already during the enlargement process itself in a reversible and merit based manner”.
According to draft conclusions dated 15 June, the EU, recalling its full commitment to the unequivocal EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans, calls for the acceleration of the EU integration process.
The European Council should also recall the importance of reforms, notably in the field of the Rule of law and “in particular those related to the independence and functioning of the judiciary and the fight against corruption”. It should also call on the partners to guarantee the rights and equal treatment of minorities.
Leaders should return to the situation in the Western Balkan countries. While the part on the negotiations between Bulgaria and North Macedonia is not yet finalised, as discussions between the two countries continue, the European Council is expected to reaffirm the urgency of achieving “tangible progress in resolving outstanding bilateral and regional disputes”, including the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.
No mention is made in the conclusions of a possible opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, which will depend on progress in the talks between Sofia and Skopje.
The European Council is also expected to welcome the 12 June political agreement between Bosnian leaders and call for the swift implementation of the commitments included in the agreement, which will allow the country to move decisively on its European path and towards EU candidate status (see EUROPE 12970/17).
The European Council will be preceded on 23 June by a Summit between EU leaders and Western Balkan countries.
See the conclusions: https://aeur.eu/f/25f (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)