The German Government expressed reserves regarding the new strategy of the European Union for Balkan, which is being presented today in Strasbourg with the intention to encourage a quick integration of the region into the EU.
The document gives accession dates for Serbia and Montenegro, considering 2025 as the year when they would join the EU.
For Albania and Macedonia, the report says that the Commission is ready to prepare the accession negotiations, but without mentioning dates.
The Spokesperson of the German government, Steffen Seibert, was quoted by Deutsche Welle saying that the candidate countries have still a long way ahead.
“There will be no automatic accessions just because of the dates that have been previously established”, he said.
Official Berlin says that the European perspective of the Balkan countries is of key importance, but the strategy of the European Commission should be studied better.
A spokesperson of the German Foreign Ministry insisted that reforms in the main areas, such as the rule of law, competitiveness and regional cooperation are still necessary.
The Voice of America has learned that the Western Balkan countries will become part of the EU, but not in the conditions which they are now.
The document recognizes the progress, but more convincing reforms are needed in the rule of law, competitiveness and regional cooperation/reconciliation.
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