The five EU member states in a confidential document called for a “step-by-step” approach, which would see candidate countries gradually gain access to parts of the European market, depending on the implementation of reforms and alignment with EU rules.
“In order to maintain the momentum of enlargement and advance European integration, strong and attractive incentives are needed,” the document states.
Market access would depend on reforms
According to the proposal, the countries of the Western Balkans could gradually participate in EU programs and sectors as they meet the conditions and implement reforms.
The model includes areas such as transport, energy, digital market, competitiveness and critical raw materials.
The document also envisages safeguards in case candidate countries abandon reforms after gaining access to parts of the single market.
The goal is to reduce the influence of Russia and China
The five countries invited the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, to prepare new proposals in this direction.
The authors of the document believe that such an approach would further strengthen the EU single market and reduce the influence of third countries, especially Russia and China, on the Western Balkans region.
(Vijesti.ba)
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