Some essential questions. Clarity and political courage are not at this moment the most obvious characteristics displayed by the European political authorities with regard to future Union enlargement. The institutions too often repeat the three concepts that no-one is opposing: Western Balkan countries have a vocation to become EU members; to do so they have to respect the required conditions; in the meantime, the EU is helping and supporting them. These three obvious principles do not respond to essential questions on: a) the possibility of new accession in the absence of the Lisbon Treaty; b) the consequences of certain behaviour and internal divisions in these countries; c) the repercussions of new states born out of fragmentation. Some individual member states, as well as a number of MEPs in a personal capacity, have spoken out on these points but there have not been any common responses. Commissioner Olli Rehn firmly calls for further accessions but in my opinion, ignores certain essential aspects. The presidency has broadly expressed itself in these terms too.
I would like to draw attention to some of the aspects which, in my opinion, should not be neglected.
Justification for a condition. The entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty before any further accession (apart from Croatia) is a precondition and not only a means of exercising pressure on reluctant member states to ratify the treaty. It also expresses a fundamental concern: it gets rid of the risk of further European integration permanently being blocked. The Lisbon Treaty will: expand decision-making to majority voting; facilitate the creation of reinforced cooperation and extend the areas in which this takes place; include new common polices (for energy, for example); and make the eurozone more autonomous with its own recognised institutions. The result is that a single member state will not be able to block the progress to integration all on its own. Each country will be able to participate in certain projects but it will not be able to prevent integration moving forward between those that deem it necessary.
European integration is not being imposed - each country and its people have the right to choose a different path or remain on the sidelines of a given project. Integration began with six; those that joined asked to join and very much wanted to; several countries are knocking at the door. They are welcome but they should not be allowed to block the others. Experience has taught us that further steps towards integration are not always taken unanimously and just as the number of member states increases, this situation will increasingly arise as well. This is the reason why certain member states establish a link between the Lisbon Treaty and future enlargement.
Objective number one. The second essential aspect that it not being talked about openly is linked to the very significance of the birth of a united Europe. The number one objective was reconciliation between countries and peoples which for centuries had torn each other apart in endless conflicts. This priority should be maintained. Candidate countries whose objective is mainly about obtaining economic support, financial assistance and free competition, should not become member states; these aspects are covered by neighbourhood policy and association agreements. To be part of the institutions, have a commissioner of their own nationality, actively participate in the debates for the shaping of European policies, they have to prove that they have understood the real priority of European construction.
The way ahead is clear: begin by getting rid of or overcoming conflicts with their neighbours, whether these conflicts are territorial, ethnic or historical, just as the Six did at the outset.
They must cooperate with each other and open up their borders reciprocally. The declaration approved last Saturday by the EU foreign affairs ministers is quite clear. These countries have to develop “good neighbourly relations” between themselves and “find mutually acceptable solutions on outstanding issues with neighbouring countries”. This is an essential factor in “the region's prospects for joining the EU”. Several areas are explicitly cited: “energy, transport, trade, the fight against organised crime and corruption, the return of refugees”. The text also mentions “student and young professional exchanges” as a “particular contribution to fostering harmony and overcoming prejudices among the people of the Western Balkans”. By way of this “declaration”, the EU suggests that it is beginning to become aware of the real priorities; even Mr Olli Rehn should read it. Will the message be understood by the others?
Tomorrow, this section will be returning to other aspects linked to further accession.
(F.R./transl.rh)