Schinas: The social partners have a say and a role in the irreversible course of the Balkans towards Europe

The vice-president of the European Commission focused on the social partners who, as he emphasized, “have a say and a role in the irreversible course of the Balkans towards Europe” Margaritis Schinas. In his speech at the Summit of the Economic and Social Committee (ESC) of South-East Europe, held in Thessaloniki, he underlined “not only the representatives of the living economy, but also the forerunners of the effort for the European Balkans»,

“In the Western Balkans, Europe is emerging as a pole of peace and stability. We have demonstrated in practice that the EU is a stable, not an opportunistic friend of the peoples of the region” he pointed out, as reported by the Athens News Agency.

“Peace in the region requires a continuous effort that must always be done with sincerity, reforms, calmness and respect for international law and the international and European acquis. In enlargement, we have already advanced the strengthening of regional cooperation, mainly by strengthening the Common Regional Market. The EU is the largest foreign investor in the region by far. The start of negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia last July is a very important step, although in my opinion, a rather late step. In North Macedonia, through which I arrived due to the strikes, many of whose citizens I met on the streets of Thessaloniki over the weekend, and these two points say a lot,” he underlined.

As Margaritis Schinas pointed out:

• “So our friends in Skopje, together with our assistance, should aim for reforms especially in the rule of law and the fight against corruption, start the procedures regarding the Constitution and the agreements with Bulgaria as they have already agreed.
• Albania has taken important steps in the part of the European agenda, such as in justice, the operation of the so-called SPAK, i.e. the special structure for the fight against corruption and organized crime.
• In Montenegro, unfortunately, the situation is more complicated, especially in matters concerning the operation and effectiveness of the respective Council of State, and I must certainly say that we are particularly concerned about the fortification of the country against malicious influences.
• With Serbia despite any problems we are on a stable trajectory, we want to go further on issues we can agree on and we want the Member States with us on this. I met with President Vucic last fall and saw for myself the ambitious plans for more Europe. Yesterday’s agreement in Ohrid with Kosovo is a huge step in the right direction.
• In Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has officially been an accession country since December, we expect the rapid creation of the new institutions targeting the 14 priorities we have already announced and are the only way to enter into negotiations for the country’s accession.
• For Kosovo/Kosovo, visa liberalization is an overdue goal, but the main issue it should be concerned with is certainly the implementation of the February 27 agreement in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. We are in full agreement with the Swedish Presidency to discuss with the Member States the issue of the candidacy that was submitted in December, and certainly a condition requires the composition of the Member States so that we can give an opinion on it if requested.”

Margaritis Schinas said that a few months ago she visited, as did the Migration Commissioner, with the aim of closer cooperation in management and noted: “We have taken important steps in this direction, we should have the same approach with returns, Frontex should try and on their own borders and indeed we have very important resources available for this purpose. All this will be more convincing, it will be easier, it will be more distinct when Romania and Bulgaria finally join the Schengen area, which in my opinion should already have happened. We are on the right European path.”

“More than 4 million Ukrainians are hosted in Europe today”

Margaritis Schinas referred to the unforeseen and unprecedented crises that the new European Commission had to face and emphasized that “hard work was the only way forward for a more resilient, more distinct and more cohesive Europe that leaves no one behindwhich is the brightest example of society in the world, and Europe proved it in practice.”

“Regarding the war in Ukraine, he said that since its beginning, the E.U. allocated 67 billion euros for Ukraine and also for the Ukrainians who were displaced.

More than 4 million Ukrainians are hosted in Europe today. The direct protection regime that has already been extended is the basic mechanism that gives access to our schools, hospitals, and workplaces, while initiatives have been taken to reconstruct and reorganize the country,” concluded Margaritis Schinas.