HRVP Borrell: a positive dynamic for the EU enlargement process
Bosnia and Herzegovina
In this year’s enlargement package, the Commission recommends the Council to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina the candidate status. To this end, Bosnia and Herzegovina should carry out a substantial steps of key reforms to reinforce democracy, functionality of state institutions, the rule of law and fundamental rights in the country.
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission Josep Borrell commented:
Let’s use this opportunity to move forward on the EU path. We will continue supporting you along the way. You can count on me personally. You believe in your country’s future, and in your future inside the EU. And we do so too.
This crucial opportunity to receive candidate status should now be followed up on urgently and as a priority by the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in a serious manner.
Russian war of aggression against Ukraine
Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine has put the EU’s enlargement policy to the fore. It represents a strong anchor for prosperity, stability and security in the whole of Europe.
The EU has integrated the Western Balkans into EU measures to reduce the negative impact of the Russian aggression on Ukraine in terms of food and energy. The region is part of the European food security crisis preparedness and response mechanism, and has been invited to participate in the EU’s joint gas, liquefied natural gas and hydrogen purchases. With our basic human rights and values being under attack around the world, it also brings the importance of the “fundamentals” negotiating chapters to the fore, which are opened first, and closed last.
Alignment to EU foreign and security policy
It also highlights the political importance of signalling strategic direction. Enlargement partners are expected to align with EU values and the common foreign and security policy (CFSP). As the High Representative said:
We are living in new geopolitical circumstances and in these new circumstances, now, more than ever we need to stand together in defending our common values and the international rules-based order.
Albania has been actively engaged in the UN Security Council including as a co-penholder of resolutions condemning the aggression. Full alignment with the EU’s CFSP by Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia is a strong signal of their strategic choice of EU accession. The significant increase in formal CFSP alignment rate by Bosnia and Herzegovina and unilateral alignment by Kosovo are also recognised and welcomed. Serbia’s CFSP alignment rate has substantially decreased over the reporting period. Serbia is expected, as a matter of priority, to fulfil its commitment and progressively align with the EU CFSP, including with restrictive measures, in line with its negotiating framework.
Fight against information manipulation, foreign interference and disinformation
Hybrid threats have become an even more serious threat in the region since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. State and non- state operators, including from outside the region engaged in information manipulation activities, including disinformation with the aim of challenging the EU’s credibility, undermining public trust in democratic institutions and deepening polarisation and ethnic divides. Serbia in particular needs to take urgent action to protect its citizens against foreign information manipulation and interference and from anti-EU narratives, including in the context of the Russian aggression on Ukraine, which has spill -over effects across the region.
The EU is working with Western Balkans partners to enhance societal resilience against information manipulation and disinformation. Initiatives include enhancing media freedom, media literacy and engagement with local institutions, civil society and the media community to counter disinformation and build, protect and strengthen democracy.
Türkiye
In the area of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights, Türkiye needs to reverse the negative trend as a matter of priority with addressing the weakening of effective checks and balances in the political system. Dialogue on rule of law and fundamental rights remains an integral part of the EU-Türkiye relationship. The underlying facts leading to the assessment that Türkiye's accession negotiations have effectively come to a standstill, still hold. Türkiye also needs to take decisive steps to improve alignment with EU CFSP, including EU restrictive measures.
Next steps
It is now for the Council to consider the Commission’s recommendations and take decisions on the steps ahead.