Thewesternbalkans
On 17 of October in Brussels was held a regular meeting of the European Council. The Council adopted Conclusions (decisions) which are linked with the Russian war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, EU competition, migration, foreign relation, enlargement to Moldova and Georgia, and some other questions. Most of the conclusions have a direct impact on the Western Balkan countries.
UKRAINE. The most important part of the document is consecrated on Ukraine. It is important to know the decisions on Ukraine because in Brussels expect full support and engagements from the Sixth of the WB. The Conclusions starts as follow:
– The European Council held an exchange of views with the President of Ukraine. (Concerning the Ukrainian Victory plan to win the war and any other thinks.)
This kind of text makes clear that there is no common position on the proposal from Ukrainian president for a Victory plan. The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, called the Victory plan of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy contradictory because its implementation could lead to the Third World War. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, in his turn, said that he does not support Volodymyr Zelenski’s Victory plan, as it is not profitable for Hungary.
And Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk believes that the document will be reassessed after the US presidential election.
The conclusions continue with full engagement from the EU leaders and absolutely clear position on the support of Ukraine:
– “The European Council reiterates its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirms its continued support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. It also reconfirms the European Union’s unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed. Russia must not prevail”.
– “The European Council reiterates its support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, in line with the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula”.
On the one hand, there is no unified position on Zelensky’s Victory plan, but on the other hand, we have a common position in support of a peaceful settlement of the issue in line with the goals of the Ukrainian peace formula. This is not a contradiction, but a support for a formula that has a highly aspirational character and, above all, does not bring the EU into a military conflict.
– “The European Council reiterates its call for the full and effective enforcement of sanctions and for further measures to counter their circumvention, including through third countries. The European Council strongly condemns third countries’ continued support for Russia’s war of aggression and urges them to cease all assistance.”
“Full and effective enforcement of sanctions” – this is the issue that will have priority in the coming months and the impact on neighboring countries including the Western Balkans will be of great importance. Joining and complying with the sanctions will be among the main conditions for the continued European integration of these countries.
MIDDLE EAST. The Conclusions say: “The European Council is deeply alarmed by the dramatic military escalation in the Middle East and the risk this represents for the entire region. It calls on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, put an end to all hostilities immediately and fully abide by international law, including international humanitarian law. The European Union is fully committed to helping de-escalate the situation and reduce tensions.
– The European Council condemns in the strongest terms the Iranian attacks on Israel on 1 October 2024 and Iran’s seriously destabilising actions throughout the Middle East through terrorist and armed groups – including the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas. It reiterates Israel’s right to defend itself and the European Union’s commitment to Israel’s security and to regional stability.
The EU had not expressed a clearer position for a long time on the crisis in the Middle East. The aggressor is Iran, Israel has the right to defend itself. Such a position will also be required of the countries of the Western Balkans, regardless of their wishes. The European Council welcomes the approval of the Council declaration of 15 October 2024 on fostering Jewish life and combating antisemitism.
COMPETITIVENESS. “Following its conclusions of April 2024, and in line with the 2024-2029 Strategic Agenda, the European Council calls for more efforts to enhance the Union’s competitiveness, strengthen its economic resilience, secure its industrial renewal and achieve the full potential of the Single Market, ensuring a level playing field both internally and globally. It highlights the urgency of taking effective action. The European Council calls on all EU institutions, Member States and stakeholders, as a matter of priority, to take work forward, notably in response to the challenges identified in the reports by Enrico Letta (‘Much more than a market’) and Mario Draghi (‘The future of European competitiveness’)”.
Competitiveness will also become a very special task in the reforms of the candidate countries. Their development and sustainability plans will be discussed at all possible levels until satisfactory commitments are reached. Part of these plans will be the development of the internal market between the countries of the Western Balkans themselves.
MIGRATION – probably the most important of the Conclusions for the WB countries. “The European Council held an in-depth strategic discussion on migration in all its dimensions and across all routes. It recalls that migration is a European challenge that requires a European response. The European Council also calls for enhanced cooperation with countries of origin and transit, through comprehensive mutually beneficial partnerships, to address root causes and to fight trafficking and smuggling with a view to preventing loss of life and irregular departures. The European Council invites the Commission to submit a new legislative proposal, as a matter of urgency.
The countries of the Western Balkans are directly concerned by the decisions of the EU on migration. At the moment, there is no explicit decision to move the centers for the reception of illegal migrants outside the EU, following the example of the agreement between Italy and Albania, but gradually this may become a condition (and a possibility ) to continue accession negotiations.
REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA AND GEORGIA. “The European Council underlines the European Union’s steadfast support for the Republic of Moldova and its accession path. It commends the consistent commitment of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to the reform process and invites them to pursue reforms and to strengthen the country’s resilience and stability.
The European Council reaffirms the Union’s readiness to support the Georgian people on their European path. At the same time, it reiterates its serious concern regarding the course of action taken by the Georgian government, which runs counter to the values and principles upon which the European Union is founded.
After the initial euphoria in Brussels that the EU could reach Russia’s borders by expanding to Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, there has gradually been a sobering of the issue and a slightly more realistic approach. Especially after the Referendum in Moldova on the EU integration of the country.
OTHER ITEMS. Hybrid threats – “The European Council strongly condemns Russia’s intensifying campaign of hybrid activities targeting the European Union, its Member States and partners. It welcomes the adoption of EU restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities. The European Union and the Member States will continue to strengthen their resilience and make full use of the EU hybrid toolbox to prevent, deter and respond to Russia’s hybrid activities”.
The great attention that the EU pays to the hybrid mode of influence is also an opportunity for the countries of the Western Balkans to improve their resilience and resilience against hybrid threats and actions. In this matter, there is a high degree of readiness on the part of the EU for assistance.
It is not easy to analyze a European Council so rich in ideas and solutions. Especially in the light of the interests and perspectives of the countries of the Western Balkans. Still, the main directions of attention can be singled out – Russia’s war in Ukraine, including the increasing commitments of the EU and the candidate countries, respectively. This will determine an increase in the requirements from Brussels to the negotiating parties for full harmonization of the foreign policy of these countries with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU. It is also an important decision to increase attention to illegal migration and the desire for maximum involvement of countries of origin and countries of transit. And all this will be linked again to the process of awarding sentences to the countries of the Western Balkans. Increasing the general competitiveness remains the main task for the EU countries, as well as for the candidate countries.
Foto: Pixabay
