Skopje, 30 May 2023 (MIA) – Although full EU membership may take several years, EU candidate countries need short-term but credible and realistic temporary steps to improve the economy, connectivity and democratic processes, said FM Bujar Osmani at the GLOBSEC 2023 Bratislava Forum addressing Tuesday the panel “EU Enlargement: Back on Track? Or on the Back Burner?” who elaborated the concept “more integration before membership."

“Membership in the Energy and Transport Community, along with visa liberalization, were good examples of how to export rules to candidates before full EU membership. The gradual integration in other areas will promote stability, predictability and confidence in our mutual relations,” FM Osmani said.

Osmani reiterated that the goal of the concept is to allow the countries of the Western Balkans access to funds, as well as observation positions in European institutions, with the ultimate goal of the countries of the Western Balkans to develop capacities compatible with European values and market competitiveness, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

“This is not an alternative to full EU membership, but something useful for our citizens on their way to membership, such as progressive integration into the single market, for example free movement of goods, facilitating trade between the region and the EU by reducing and removing customs duties and quotas including agricultural products and by providing exemptions from trade measures, free supply of services and movement of capital, including future oriented trade and tax policies, etc,” Osmani said.

Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković and Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Megi Fino, also delivered remarks at the panel related to EU enlargement, reads the press release.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs