The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, the foreign affairs ministers of the Member States and their counterparts from the six countries of the Western Balkans met in Brussels on Monday 13 November to take stock of common security challenges.
During the discussions, Mr Borrell emphasised that the candidate countries must align themselves with the Common Foreign and Security Policy. This reminder was mainly addressed to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, despite the fact that the Commission had insisted, on 8 November, when presenting its ‘enlargement’ package, that these countries should join the EU’s position on restrictive measures and declarations on Russia (see EUROPE 13288/2).
Logically, part of the discussions also focused on the issue of enlargement. “The momentum generated by Ukraine will have an impact on all the candidate countries waiting for their turn in the negotiation process”, Josep Borrell stressed.
“Enlargement is not just a geopolitical issue”, said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who claimed that the arrival of new Member States would strengthen the EU.
For their part, several candidate countries stated that enlargement will only be possible if the EU also carries out its own reforms. “Between now and 2030, the EU must reform, this would be the best signal to show that the EU is ready”, had insisted Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić in Brussels on 26 October (see EUROPE 13280/5).
The High Representative also reaffirmed the EU’s “firm political, technical and financial support” for the countries in the region. Part of the discussion focused on the future Growth Plan announced by the Commission on 26 October (see EUROPE 13282/2).
With a budget of €6 billion for the period 2024-2027, the Growth Plan is designed to bring the countries of the Western Balkans closer to the European Single Market, increase the region’s integration into the European economy, speed up “fundamental” reforms with a view to EU membership and increase pre-accession funds.
“We want to make progress in integrating the region into our decision-making process, including foreign and security policy - even before accession”, commented Josep Borrell after the meeting.
“It is important to involve the region’s partners in issues relating to the future of Europe, and not just listen to them once a year”, summarised Ms Baerbock. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)