English

Germany’s govt open for discussion on reform of negotiation rules

Merkel

The German government is open for discussion about concrete reforms, which would improve the accession process of the Western Balkan countries to the EU, the German Federal Foreign Office said in a statement.

The media recently reported that countries wishing to become part of the European family could be required some new negotiation rules of accession by Brussels at the next EU-Western Balkans summit in May. These rules might mean that countries would be offered some kind of a privileged partnership with the EU instead of joining it. More specifically – economic integration without formal membership.

“The German government and the vast majority of the EU member states have clearly supported the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. We regret that no agreement has been reached yet. We will continue working on this,” the German Foreign Minister Mr Heiko Maas told Pobjeda daily.

Even the Montenegrin President, Mr Milo Đukanović, revealed he has been aware that certain European circles have been considering a new model of negotiations with the candidate countries for EU membership, noting that it is not fair to change rules during the game.

He said the Western Balkans must be involved in the discussion on further enlargement process.

“Maybe the EU member states do have a privileged status over the candidate countries, but nobody should have a privileged status in Europe, as we are all its residents.”

 

 

 

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