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| Maja Kocijancic |
We think that the enlargement is a geostrategic investment of the European Union for stability, peace, security and economic development in the Western Balkans.
We have expressed our position through the publication of progress reports in May on the reforms of the integration of the Balkans and Turkey. Our assessment is very objective, based on the introduction of various interlocutors.
Our assessment shows that much work has been done in the last five years, we have seen a positive change in the Western Balkans.
Our recommendation shows that Albania and North Macedonia have shown their determination to advance on the road to integration and that they have achieved tangible and sustainable results.
It is now up to the Council of Ministers to consider this recommendation and decide on the steps to come. I also remind you of the statement of the President of the European Commission when he met with the Albanian Prime Minister, who clearly shows his position and of the Commission.
Regarding the fact that the European Commission's report is not contested only by the Netherlands, but also Germany, where there are members of the Bundestag who consider that the results presented by Albania are not convincing, and also France for having the main concern the high number of asylum seekers, the Commission does not comments the attitudes, speculations and debates of member states:
Maja Kocijancic, EC spokeswoman:
The enlargement is a process that requires the fulfillment of specific political and economic criteria and the implementation of European legislation (acquis communautaire). There are several stages in this process.
We are talking about the current stage for which the Council of Ministers made a recommendation last year. The Commission has made a thorough assessment of the flows of many interlocutors, member states, governments of both countries (Albania and North Macedonia) or rather all governments, civil society and international partners.
The reports have been prepared over a period of several months and are the result of a thorough work with detailed analysis. If you read it, you will see it yourself; Nobody is saying that all the criteria and all the conditions have been met. This is a process. But if we refer to the work that should be done for this stage, this is done. That does not mean that the work ends there.
Not at all, there's a lot to do. But this is the assessment of the process of meeting these specific criteria for opening the negotiations. No doubt.
You know that the fight against organized crime and corruption remains a priority for which states are committed and for which the work must continue.
Things need to be put in the right perspective. It is up to the Council of the European Union to decide and not comment on positions, speculations or debates among member states. "
The EU foreign ministers are expected to make a decision on June 18 regarding the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia.