European Greens: “Fragile peace which is threatened by Russian influence must be protected”

The message comes from the European Greens who said that while they favour the enlargement the European Commission “must also do more to help the candidate countries build up their democratic capacities”.

European Greens co-chairs Mélanie Vogel and Thomas Waitz (pictured) were reacting to the European Commission’s recent recommendation on EU enlargement.

The pair said, “And don’t forget the Western Balkans: it is our historical responsibility, as well as a geopolitical strategic necessity, to support integration, democratisation and reconciliation in the Western Balkans”. 

The European Commission has recommended opening formal negotiations on Ukraine’s accession.

Waitz and Vogel noted: “The people of Ukraine are heroically defending the future of a free Ukraine.

“The EU institutions should move swiftly towards the integration of Ukraine into the European Union”.

The Commission also opens membership negotiations with Moldova.

Already in June 2022, the European Green Party and its member parties adopted a resolution in favour of the enlargement process towards Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, at the EGP Council in Riga.”

The EC also recommended granting candidate status to Georgia if and when it fulfils the remaining conditions.

The EGP co-chairs commented: “The Georgian government continues to make it increasingly difficult for the country to fulfil its aspirations to join the EU. As European Greens, we stand in unwavering solidarity with civil society and political organisations, such as the Greens, who are fighting for a more democratic and a European future for Georgia”. 

When it comes to the six aspiring Western Balkans countries, the Commission has recommended different courses of action.

The European Green Party says it is in favour of the accession of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.

“We must not forget about the Western Balkans. 

“The fragile peace in the region, which is threatened by Russian influence, must be protected. Candidate countries must meet the standards of the rule of law, human rights and democracy in order to start talks. “

The two said, “But once the European Union has made promises or raised hopes, the European institutions must be able to deliver. False promises lead to disappointment and turn people away from European support. “

They added, “It is our historical responsibility, as well as a geopolitical strategic necessity, to support integration, democratisation and reconciliation in the Western Balkans. This should also become an important priority for European foreign policy”, say Vogel and Waitz.

Click here for more articles on Political Issues of the day, at EU Today