to enter the European Union. A strong political message for Kiev and also for Moscow, but a disappointment in turn for the Western Balkans region, where countries like Albania and North Macedonia have been waiting years for the doors of the community club to open. “I feel sorry for the EU, I did not expect anything more from this summit than what I have received,” said the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, after leaving the meeting with the Twenty-seven.
On the one hand, the European heads of state and government on Thursday gave the expected yes to the candidacy of Ukraine and Moldova to enter the community club, a response that comes only three months after these two countries submitted their application. “It is a historic day,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, celebrating the step taken. But the malaise in the Balkans turned sour and marked the day.
Being a candidate for the EU means beginning a long process without an end date that implies profound reforms. In the case of North Macedonia, it even meant changing its name, but even that has not been enough. The country has been waiting for 17 years to pass from candidate to the next phase, a wait in which Albania has now been eight years. That is why the disappointment and even anger shown by its two leaders after a meeting from which they left empty-handed. “Do not do like the Church debating the sex of angels, while Constantinople fell,” Rama warned the leaders before the blockade of Bulgaria, which is justified with cultural and historical differences to maintain the veto.
“I am very disappointed with how everything has gone, a single country has blocked everything, we have to review the decision-making process,” admitted the High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell. The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, was also dissatisfied: “I understand the frustrations of the young generations who look to Europe as their home and are not given the hope they deserve.”
European leaders have also agreed to put tough reform conditions
On the list of Western Balkan countries that also hope to one day enter the European club are Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia, also immersed in accession negotiations for decades. All of this, however, serves as a warning to Ukraine and Moldova, who are now embarking on a journey without knowing when they will reach their goal. “We have to be clear with Ukraine, it will be a long road, with big reforms that will take a long time,” Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said.
With their yes to Ukraine’s candidacy, European leaders have also agreed to set tough reform conditions, both economic and anti-corruption and to comply with the rule of law and democratic principles.
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