TIRANA, May 20 – Five European Union member states have proposed a new approach for integrating Western Balkan countries into the EU. Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia presented a confidential document in Brussels, according to Euractiv. They said the enlargement process should become more concrete and more attractive for candidate countries.
The proposal suggests that Western Balkan countries could gain gradual access to parts of the EU single market. The countries would advance in line with their level of alignment with EU legislation. The model, described as “systematic sectoral integration”, would allow gradual participation in areas such as transport, energy, the digital market and competition policy. The document states that Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia could benefit from this phased access. The five countries said a merit-based, step-by-step approach would strengthen reform incentives and increase the EU’s geopolitical influence in the region.
The document also says gradual integration should apply only after candidates demonstrate strong alignment with EU standards in the relevant sectors. It adds that safeguard mechanisms should apply if a country reverses democratic or economic reforms after gaining market access. In addition, the proposal mentions possible mobility-style arrangements similar to EU–UK youth mobility schemes.
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