Skopje, 3 June 2022 (MIA) — Austria has proposed that the European Union take a new, "gradual EU integration" approach to the Western Balkans, according to a non-paper sent to EU member states in late May and seen by Radio Free Europe. According to RFE, the Austrian non-paper said the Russian invasion of Ukraine could threaten the stability of the Western Balkans and even push the conflict toward the EU borders or the bloc itself. "On the road to full membership, we need to give these [Western Balkan] countries an opportunity to gradually integrate," the document said, adding that the current methodology was not applicable to the current situation. The enlargement process, according to the non-paper, had not produced significant results in recent years. Instead, it had led to "frustration and mutual alienation across the region and the EU." "We have to break the current deadlock, looking at all options with an open mind,” the document said. In the non-paper, Austria proposes that the Western Balkan countries be regularly invited to informal EU Council meetings to discuss common interests; that the EU – Western Balkans Summit be held every year; and observer status be given to regional countries as soon as possible. Austria has also proposed that the Western Balkan countries be offered gradual integration into the common market and EU agencies and be included in climate, energy, trade and tax policies. mr/