TIRANA (Albania), February 6 (SeeNews) –The European Commission said on Tuesday it is ready to prepare recommendations to open accession negotiations with Albania and Macedonia.
The Commission said in a statement it has adopted a strategy for a credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans.
Albania and Macedonia are making "significant progress on their European path,” the Commission stated.
The EU's executive arm also noted that Kosovo has an opportunity for sustainable progress through implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and to advance on its European path once objective circumstances allow.
The Commission said it will start preparing an opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina's membership application following receipt of comprehensive and complete answers to its questionnaire.
"With sustained effort and engagement, Bosnia and Herzegovina could become a candidate for accession," the Commission noted.
“This strategy shows the path that we have ahead of us: for all our six partners to overcome once and for all the past, for all of us together to make the process of the Western Balkans towards the European Union irreversible and keep reuniting the Continent,” EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said, referring to Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo.
Mogherini also said that the next months will be not only intense but also crucial to make sure that this historic and unique opportunity is seized.
“Today we confirm that the door of our Union is open for the Western Balkans which is already an enclave surrounded by the EU, and that our offer is sincere,” EU enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn said.
He added that the Commission is strengthening the enlargement process which requires credible efforts and reforms in return, in particular to strengthen the rule of law.