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| Johannes Hahn |
The panorama of a troubled Europe emerged again at the European Parliament's Foreign Policy Committee, where after long discussions on Brexit the spoke the Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn for the countries that may join the Union.
The commissioner Hahn for the first time revealed what will be the European Commission's recommendation for Albania and North Macedonia: "We must look to a long-term perspective and we at the European Commission in late May will present the progress report for each country in the region, including Turkey. Based on what we have noted, we will make a recommendation for North Macedonia, as well as Albania, that these countries should start the preparatory phase for opening membership negotiations and this will be officially done."Cut and open, Commissioner Hahn asked the European Parliaments to keep their promises to the Balkan countries: "I am convinced that our partners meet the criteria, then we face our credibility and responsibility, so the ball remains in our field. And so, when our partners meet the criteria for opening the negotiations, then we must respond positively."
Commissioner Hahn's message was clear. If European countries do not open the green light to expansion, then other forces are ready to fulfill their goals: "There are also other political powers in this game. Like Russia, China has its influence as Turkey and Arab countries, including others. We should not listen to our fears, if we talk in economic terms, we should consider the Balkans, as 75% of foreign investment comes from EU member states."