By Sarah Collins - 24th June 2008
Enlargement chief Olli Rehn has said that it’s “business as usual” for enlargement in the western Balkans, despite French fears that it's not possible without the Lisbon treaty.
Speaking on Tuesday at a conference on the future of the Balkans, Rehn said, “Accession negotiations have never in the past been halted by the stops and starts in the institutional processes of the EU.
"By the end of 2008 all western Balkan countries should have passed through the gateway for candidate status by signing a stabilisation and association agreement.”
But Jean-Pierre Jouyet, France’s state secretary for European affairs, said, “The Nice treaty is tailor-made for 27 member states. We will not be able to carry the process further. The support for enlargement cannot be disassociated from the support for the Lisbon treaty.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina last week signed a stabilisation and association agreement with the EU, which explicitly includes a membership perspective. This followed a similar agreement with Serbia in April, but its progress depends on how far the country cooperates with the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
Questions have been raised over how far the union can enlarge since Ireland rejected the Lisbon treaty on 12 June, which had effectively set out how to restructure the institutions to better deal with more member states.
At the event, which was organised by Brussels think-tank Friends of Europe, Kosovan prime minister Hashim Thaçi sidestepped questions on the EU’s internal problems, instead reaffirming his country’s goal to be part of the EU club.
“We need every support from the EU we can get. Our goal and vision is to be part of Nato and the EU.”
Kosovo declared independence on 17 February and brought a new constitution into effect on 15 June. However, objections have been raised by Serbia and Russia over the transfer of powers from the soon to be “reconfigured” UN mission to Kosovo and the EU’s EULEX rule of law mission.
Former UN secretary general’s special representative in Kosovo, Joachim Rücker, thinks the EU needs to maintain a firm hand in Kosovo, and clarify its stance. “The EU’s influence in Kosovo is directly proportionate to the EU’s ability to achieve a unified and constant standard, invest responsibly and stay the course.”
The European commission will host a donors’ conference for Kosovo in Brussels on 11 July to collect pledges from donors for Kosovo’s socio-economic development.
