The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) CIVEX Commission today adopted an opinion on 'Enlargement Package 2023 – Western Balkans and Turkey' prepared by Nikola Dobroslavic, President of Dubrovnik-Neretva Region and member of the EPP-CoR Group.
Presenting his opinion to local and regional leaders from across Europe at the CoR in Brussels, Nikola DOBROSLAVIĆ said "Although the countries of the Western Balkans have strong support for EU accession, it is essential that they meet the criteria set. We warmly welcome the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and stress the crucial role of Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs) in this enlargement process."
The opinion welcomes the ongoing and increased involvement of the CoR in the enlargement process via its joint consultative committees, working groups, and the organisation of the annual Enlargement Day conference. Furthermore, it stresses the need for effective EU support for strategic communication at local level in the countries of the region to highlight the benefits of EU integration and counter disinformation.
With respect to Turkey, the rapporteur said that it is imperative that Turkey demonstrates its adherence to European values and meet the other criteria. Earlier this year the rapporteur met with Faruk Kaymakci, the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Turkey to the EU to exchange views.
The opinion also made a series of country specific observations. Dobrosalvic said that the opinion recognises the shortcomings in the candidate countries and urged the implementation of ECHR judgments and electoral law in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Serbia’s adherence to EU policies, especially in relation to Russia and the resolution of disputes with Kosovo.
The opinion gives the views of EU local and regional authorities on two communications issued by the European Commission late last year: Communication on EU Enlargement Policy and New growth plan for the Western Balkans. The opinion is set to be adopted by the CoR plenary in April 2024.
The EPP-CoR Group will be organising an EPP Local Dialogue on 'EU enlargement' in Bucharest on Thursday, 7th March 2024 between 8h00 – 9h00 in the context of the EPP Congress. The purpose of our event is to look into how local and regional authorities can support and contribute to enlargement as a strategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity in Europe.