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-DW Information
Berlin, Sep 14: Throughout talks in Serbia on Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel held the door open for EU membership for Western Balkan nations, however was extra cautious in regards to the timeline.
Her two-day go to to the area comes simply weeks earlier than Merkel is because of go away workplace, with the chancellor vowing persevering with German help for the area after her time as chancellor involves an finish.
What did Merkel say?
Talking alongside Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Merkel urged for progress in the direction of EU membership to proceed — however famous that modifications should be enacted.
“I hope that we are going to quickly get some momentum again on this complete course of,” she stated.
“There may be nonetheless a protracted technique to go earlier than Serbia and the entire area can lastly turn into members of the European Union, as is our widespread objective,” Merkel stated.
“We, who’re already members of the European Union, ought to remember the fact that there may be an absolute geostrategic curiosity for us to incorporate these nations within the European Union,” she emphasised.
Merkel stated the Serbian president vowed to make progress by the top of the 12 months in the direction of judicial reforms which might be pre-requisites for membership within the 27-member bloc.
With reference to ongoing tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, Merkel careworn that the decision of the battle — and Serbia’s recognition of Kosovo’s independence — was additionally a prerequisite for changing into an EU member.
“I help a highway map, by which all different questions will likely be solved forward of time,” Merkel stated, noting that these questions have to be resolved earlier than the top of the membership course of.
The tip of an period — Merkel within the Balkans
Along with her time as chancellor coming to a detailed when Germany heads to the polls on September 26, Merkel’s choice to journey to the Western Balkans has drawn a highlight on the area.
The German chancellor has beforehand voiced optimism for six Western Balkan states — Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and North Macedonia — changing into members of the EU.
So as to take action, the nations should enact widespread reforms — significantly to fight rule of legislation points, corruption and nepotism. Impartial media and significant voices in civil society are additionally more and more below strain within the area.
On Tuesday, Merkel will journey to Albania the place she can have a gathering with leaders from Serbia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro.
Supply: DW
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