Skopje, 2 October 2023 (MIA) – Any document from any member state which voices open support for the accession of the Western Balkan countries, like the Austrian document, is welcome and represents positive pressure for the EU institutions and member states over the creation of a clear and unequivocal plan for the membership of the Western Balkan countries, because this is the only thing that can restore the belief of our citizens that this is a credible process, said Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs, Bojan Marichikj, in answer to a journalist’s question Monday.

“We firmly believe that it is a credible process and that’s why I believe that these are well-intentioned and welcome documents that are only meant to advance what was said by the President of the EU Council, Charles Michel, in Bled over the real opportunity for membership in 2030. I see these documents only as support for that political position, so that it can be transformed into concrete policy, instead of just remaining a political position,” said Marichikj.

Last week, through a non-paper addressed to Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, as well as to the other member states, Austria called on EU institutions to present a clear agenda for gradual and accelerated integration with concrete implementation steps until 2024 and beyond, based on fair and rigorous conditionality and the principle of own merits.

“While we recognize the importance to discuss intra-EU reforms and the future of the EU, we believe that this should not be used as a pretext to delay the enlargement process of our Western Balkans partners, which we have been discussing for years and decades,” said the letter signed by Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, and Karoline Edtstadler, Federal Minister for the EU and Constitution

The document added that the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has changed Europe's political landscape and has made it even more urgent to tie the Western Balkans countries and their citizens closer to the EU, thus creating a "level playing field" with other candidates and aspiring countries that already enjoy benefits based on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas.