N-VA vigilant at the start of European talks on the accession of Albania and North Macedonia

“When it comes to the enlargement agenda, some EU leaders simply do not want to budge one millimetre. They decided to start accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia after all.” The N-VA questions the need for enlargement discussions while the corona crisis is so time-consuming. “At a time when the European Union is having to endure one crisis after another, such as the euro crisis, the migration crisis, Brexit and now the corona crisis, further enlargement does not seem appropriate at present.”

Not blinded by enlargement optimism

According to the N-VA, the last round of enlargement with Romania and Bulgaria has not yet been adequately digested. She wonders whether their accession was not sufficient proof that it is unwise to allow countries to join the European Union if they do not meet all the accession criteria. “Fortunately, that awareness has already developed for some people. The opening of negotiations has already been postponed several times under pressure from the Netherlands, Denmark and France. If you are not blinded by enlargement optimism, then you realise that new member states must also fit within the group. This consists of respect for human rights and the rule of law, having a well-functioning market economy and being able to implement applicable European law.”

Stricter accession process

Unfortunately, that ship has sailed, the N-VA notes. But the resistance was not entirely in vain. “The EU has recognised to some extent that the accession process must be stricter. From now on, even more emphasis will be placed on conditionality and the fulfilment of obligations. Also new is that the process can be reversed and stopped. These are certainly good elements, although we will have to make sure that they are actually applied in practice.”

Additional conditions for Albania

Most of the questions the Member of Parliament asks herself are primarily about the accession of Albania, a country where corruption is still rampant. The EU is now partly addressing this by setting additional conditions before negotiations with this country actually begin. The country must ensure transparent funding of political parties and electoral campaigns, implement the necessary legal reforms and tackle the phenomenon of unfounded asylum applications by its citizens in other Member States.

Each Member State must provide added value

“As a party, we will start watching closely to ensure there is strict monitoring of the tightened conditions. The accession process must be reversible at all times and pre-accession assistance must be conditional. We are also requesting that there be a differentiation between Albania and North Macedonia; their files should not unjustifiably remain linked. The EU must remain an exclusive club, where each Member State brings added value. Each country has to pass its final exam on its own merits”, the N-VA concludes.