BRUSSELS – Croatia strongly helps the international locations of the Western Balkans on their path in the direction of the EU, however primarily based on benefit, which suggests, amongst different issues, they need to adhere to the ideas of excellent neighborly relations, stated on Tuesday in Brussels the State Secretary within the Ministry of Overseas Affairs, Andreja Metelko Zgombić.
“Croatia strongly helps the enlargement course of primarily based on benefit,” Metelko Zgombić stated after the conclusion of the assembly of the EU member states’ ministers for European affairs.
The Basic Affairs Council, composed of the ministers of member states accountable for European affairs, held its first formal assembly on Tuesday beneath the Hungarian presidency.
The assembly mentioned the rule of regulation in member states, with ministers from 4 Western Balkan international locations which have already opened accession negotiations – Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia – taking part equally within the dialogue for the primary time.
The ministers didn’t talk about particular developments that these 4 international locations may make by the tip of the 12 months, as these discussions are held at decrease ranges within the EU Council.
Hungary, because the presiding nation, strongly advocates for the progress of Western Balkan international locations in the direction of EU membership and strives to arrange intergovernmental accession conferences by the tip of this 12 months in order that a few of these international locations can open or shut elements of the negotiation chapters. A consensus of all member states is required for this.
When requested concerning the prospects of this taking place, Metelko Zgombić stated that Croatia believes Albania and North Macedonia needs to be allowed to take a step ahead and open some chapters.
“Concerning Montenegro, good neighborly relations and never endeavor actions that hurt them are vital components in measuring the nation’s readiness to progress on the European path,” Metelko Zgombić stated, emphasizing that at present’s assembly didn’t talk about the opening or closing of negotiation chapters for any nation.
“We’ll observe to what extent Montenegro fulfills what it has beforehand promised, and this might be one of many components on which we are going to assess whether or not it’s time for it to shut some particular chapters,” Metelko Zgombić stated.
The Montenegrin parliament handed a decision on genocide in Jasenovac on the finish of June to placate pro-Serbian events within the ruling Montenegrin coalition after Montenegro supported a decision on genocide in Srebrenica on the UN.
On the time, the Montenegrin opposition highlighted that this transfer was a “Computer virus” from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to worsen good neighborly relations with Croatia.
Concerning Serbia, Metelko Zgombić stated that it should clearly present, with concrete measures, that it desires to maneuver ahead on the European path. “Then we will talk about opening or closing some chapters,” she stated.
She added that in at present’s dialogue on the rule of regulation, she reminded them concerning the problem of regional jurisdiction.
Serbia adopted a regulation on regional jurisdiction greater than ten years in the past, declaring itself competent to prosecute battle crimes dedicated within the territory of the previous Yugoslavia.
“So long as this regulation on regional jurisdiction exists, Serbia can’t progress on the European path. Many colleagues in at present’s dialogue emphasised that the rule of regulation is the essence of mutual belief, and subsequently such an try to seize the competence of a member state just isn’t acceptable,” Metelko Zgombić stated. (September 24, 2024)
