Next week, the European Union (EU) faces a strategically important choice to formalize the accession of North Macedonia and Albania. Ahead of these crucial decisions, the chairman of the European People's Party (EPP), Joseph Daul, has now also expressed his support for this.
Last week, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Parliament Sassoli jointly called for the reopening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania in a letter. In May, Brussels had already concluded that both countries had made sufficient progress in tackling corruption and crime and reforming the judiciary, and that there were no longer any obstacles to the next accession phase.
Almost all EU countries agree that these two Balkan countries should be admitted. But France and especially the Netherlands still stand in the way. This week it became clear again how, also in the Dutch parliament, the debate is often narrowed down to fear of the arrival of Albanian criminals. The idea that the Union has 'expanded too quickly' in recent years is widespread among Dutch politicians.
North Macedonia and Albania have made progress in recent years in improving their public administration, tax system, and transparency. They have also somewhat further normalized cooperation with their former 'enemy Serbia,' according to Brussels. Although much remains to be done, many believe that admitting these two countries to the European Union is the natural next step.
The Dutch foreign policy think tank Clingendael Institute recently published a study demonstrating the necessity to 'keep the Balkans in Europe.' Others, however, argue that the eurosceptic attitude among many citizens of some countries mainly stems from a negative feeling about the too rapid and uncontrolled admission of new EU member states.
The decision next week is called historic and decisive for the future of the European continent by many. The path to membership for North Macedonia and Albania will be long, many acknowledge. The Western Balkan countries are close partners: historically, geographically, and economically. The EU will only be complete when the region is part of our union, many say.