TIRANA, June 5 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Western Balkans should not remain in the European Union waiting room. He spoke to international media on arrival at the Western Balkans–European Union summit in Tivat. He called for stronger political momentum in the enlargement process. He also supported gradual integration based on merit.
Rama said Europe must keep a merit-based accession process. He said it must also move towards gradual integration of candidate countries. He said the European Union needs what he called a “Helmut Kohl moment” to restore political ambition in enlargement. He referred to German reunification after the fall of the Berlin Wall. He said Germany did not use a system of 35 negotiation chapters at the time. Instead, he said it focused on unity and post-integration reforms.
Rama said the Western Balkans should remain at the same table with the European Union. He said each country should keep its status until full membership. He added that candidate countries must continue to meet their obligations. He said a Franco-German proposal on EU enlargement offers a basis for further discussion. He also said Germany and France should show stronger leadership in advancing the process.
Meanwhile, he said the Western Balkans should not be kept in a waiting room. He said the region needs stronger integration momentum. He also called for clearer political commitment from the European Union. The summit in Tivat brought together European Union and Western Balkan leaders. It focused on enlargement policy, reforms, and the region’s European perspective.
/a.p./
The post PM Rama in Tivat: Western Balkans must not stay in EU waiting room, calls for “Helmut Kohl moment” in enlargement appeared first on RTSH English.
