Aujourd’hui, la présidente du Parlement européen, Roberta Metsola, était à Tivat, au Monténégro, à l’occasion du sommet UE–Balkans occidentaux. Dans son discours, elle a affirmé que l’avenir de l’Europe et celui des Balkans occidentaux sont indissociables et doivent s’inscrire dans un destin commun.
Thanks, António. President Milatović, dear Jakov, thank you for hosting us here in beautiful Montenegro. Dear colleagues, The European Parliament has always been the strongest voice for EU enlargement. This legislature is no exception. With a region ready to advance and a geopolitical moment that demands it, we have a real window of opportunity in front of us. But windows like this do not stay open forever. We need to use the momentum this moment creates. Enlargement is a strategic choice we must make. We are all under pressure, our project is being squeezed from all sides and if we want to respond in a manner that shows that our European way of calm, stability and predictability is still the right path then there is no better answer to our friends or to our foes than enlargement. I have two points to make today. The first is on what I call ‘practical’ integration. For people to keep believing in the enlargement process, as a real possibility instead of a distant dream, they need to see progress. They need to feel the benefits coming and see where this road leads. That is why the European Parliament adopted the 6 billion Euro Regulation on the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans at record speed. And to be clear: this support is not only tied to reforms but also to deeper integration within the region itself – including funding for transport, infrastructure and energy connectivity. Yesterday, the Commission was given a mandate to start negotiations with your countries to bring all six Western Balkan countries into the European Union’s ‘Roam Like at Home’ regime. This is something the European Parliament has pushed for, and I am glad that we are finally there. I also understand the thinking behind interim or associated “observer” formats. They can be helpful alongside gradual access to the EU Single Market based on progress in domestic reforms. But they cannot replace membership, and we have to be clear in that this is a step towards Membership, and it is not a way to delay accession.
That ties into my second point: accession benchmarks. Enlargement is, and should remain, a merit-based process. I know how frustrating it is at times, but the protection of the rule of law, pluralism and fundamental rights are necessary. They are the building blocks for everything else. But this is not a journey you have to take alone. In the European Parliament, we work closely with Parliaments in your countries on legislative approximation, on getting to the different milestones. You can count on the European Parliament’s support. I also want to use this moment to underline the role of Member States. Working more closely with national parliaments and with people at home will be essential so that the support needed for the next steps is built early and built well. That will matter at every stage of the process – including and eventually, when accession treaties come for ratification. Because if a candidate country delivers on accession reforms and conditions, then Europe must deliver on its side too. Enlargement is not some kind of gift, or charity. It’s a two-way street, it’s a win-win and we cannot raise expectations without delivering. And if we do not act, it is not only our credibility on the line, but also the security and stability in our immediate neighbourhood - and by extension, that of all Europeans. Thank you.