Marta Kos says Serbia has not received a euro since the adoption of "Mrdić's laws" and hopes it will meet the criteria to receive money
“I have a clear message, there is room in the European Union for all Western Balkan countries,” said Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos arriving at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels.
TL;DR
- The EU has room for all Western Balkan countries, and enlargement is a priority.
- Success of enlargement depends on reforms implemented by candidate countries.
- Montenegro has a working group for accession and strong public support for EU membership.
- Around 100 million euros from the Growth Plan will be disbursed to Albania and Montenegro.
- Serbia has not received funds from the Growth Plan since the adoption of certain laws, but no formal decision to freeze funds has been made.
- Candidate countries are expected to progress, not regress, in certain areas.
- The EU is working on a new enlargement methodology, moving away from a 40-year-old approach.
- A new Western Balkans-EU summit will be held in Podgorica on June 5th.
- The Commissioner hopes Montenegro will conclude accession negotiations by the end of this year or early next year.