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The message comes from the European Greens who said that although they were in favor of enlargement, the European Commission “More must also be done to help candidate countries strengthen their democratic capacities.”
The co-presidents of the European Greens, Mélanie Vogel and Thomas Waitz (photo), were reacting to the European Commission’s recent recommendation on EU enlargement.
The couple said: “And don’t forget the Western Balkans: it is our historical responsibility, as well as a geopolitical strategic necessity, to support integration, democratization and reconciliation in the Western Balkans.”
The European Commission has recommended the opening of formal negotiations on Ukraine’s accession.
Waitz and Vogel noted: “The Ukrainian people are heroically defending the future of a free Ukraine.
“European institutions should move quickly towards the integration of Ukraine into the European Union.”
The Commission also opens accession negotiations with Moldova.
Already in June 2022, the European Green Party and its member parties adopted a resolution in favor of the enlargement process to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, at the EL Council in Riga.”
The EC also recommended granting Georgia candidate status if and when it meets the remaining conditions.
The EGP co-chairs commented: “The Georgian government continues to make it increasingly difficult for the country to realize its EU membership aspirations. As European Greens, we stand in unwavering solidarity with civil society and political organizations, such as the Greens, who are fighting for a more democratic and European future for Georgia.
Regarding the six Western Balkan candidate countries, the Commission recommended different lines of action.
The European Green Party says it is in favor of the accession of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
“We must not forget the Western Balkans.
“The fragile peace in the region, threatened by Russian influence, must be protected. Candidate countries must respect the standards of the rule of law, human rights and democracy in order to begin negotiations. “
The two said: “But once the European Union has made promises or raised hopes, European institutions must be able to keep their promises. False promises lead to disappointment and distract citizens from European support. “
They added, “It is our historic responsibility, as well as a geopolitical strategic necessity, to support integration, democratization and reconciliation in the Western Balkans. This should also become an important priority of European foreign policy,” say Vogel and Waitz.
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