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Juncker Appeals for EU Unity Over Western Balkans

September 12, 201814:38
In his last state of the union address, the European Commission chief said that if the EU does not unite to shape the destiny of the Western Balkans, 'others' will step in and do so instead. 
European Commission Chief Jean Claude Juncker. Photo: EPA-EFE/PATRICK SEEGER

The European Union can export stability to the Western Balkans only if there is consensus inside the bloc, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told the European Parliament on Wednesday in his fourth and last annual State of the EU address.

He warned that if Europe did not shape the future of the Balkans, “others” would so so.

Unlike 2017, when Juncker spoke in English and explicitly mentioned enlargement to the Western Balkans for the first time, his last speech as head of the European Commission was in French, and focused more on populism, the lack of cohesion between Eastern and Western Europe, and the lack of consensus on migration policy.

“Europe can export stability, as we have done with the successive enlargements of our Union,” Juncker said. “For me, these are and will remain success stories – for we were able to reconcile Europe’s history and geography.

“But there is more to be done. We must find unity when it comes to the Western Balkans – once and for all. Should we not, our immediate neighbourhood will be shaped by others,” Juncker said.

Despite Brussels trying to sponsor talks between Serbia and Kosovo on a possible final agreement, including a land swap between Pristina and Belgrade, Germany and other EU countries have voiced concerns that land swaps could open up old wounds in the Balkans and elsewhere.

EU policy on migration, which has also put the Balkans on the EU table, was one of the main topics Juncker addressed in his speech.

He said his proposals for a balanced migration approach would be to strengthen the EU Border Guard, to develop the European Asylum Agency, fasten the return of irregular migrants and open up more legal pathways.

“We cannot continue to squabble to find ad-hoc solutions each time a new ship arrives. Temporary solidarity is not good enough. We need lasting solidarity – today and forever more,” he said.

Juncker also addressed the alleged threats facing the rule of law in Central and Eastern European countries.

“The Commission will resist all attacks on the rule of law,” Juncker said. “We continue to be very concerned by the developments in some of our Member States,” he added.

“But above all, I would like us to reject unhealthy nationalism and embrace enlightened patriotism. We should never forget that the patriotism of the 21st century is two-fold: both European and national, with one not excluding the other,” Juncker pointed out.

The European Parliament on Tuesday grilled Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who accused the EU of “insulting” his country, as the EU debated disciplinary action against Budapest. The European Parliament on Wednesday voted to trigger Article 7 against Hungary, months after it did so over Poland.

Juncker did not name errant countries, but European Popular Party MEP Manfred Weber, who is among the favourites to become European Commission chief in 2019, pointed to Romania.

The country has seen large protests against the Social Democrat government and its policy of relaxing the fight against corruption.

Weber said that, by threatening the rule of law, the government in Bucharest endangered Romania’s plans to join the passport-free Schengen zone, damaging the chances of Bulgaria and Croatia at the same time.

“I want to ask the Romanian government to stop the risks to the fight against corruption in Romania because they are harming the decision-making process towards Bulgaria and Croatia,” he said. 

Read more:

Juncker Urges EU to Integrate Balkan States

EU Urges Serbian and Kosovo Presidents to Meet