Brussels, 5 December 2024 (MIA) - I will do my best to help ensure that the bilateral disputes of the past do not permanently stay in the way of our common future, said the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, in her address Thursday at the forum “EU-Western Balkans Summit: A Renewed Approach to the Region”, organized by Brussels-based think tank “Friends of Europe”.

“My dream is to have all of the Western Balkans integrated in this Union and see borders and bilateral conflicts disappear, just as they did in so many other parts of our continent,” said Kos, adding that the removal of physical barriers would push aside many historical tensions.

According to the Commissioner, for the first time, there is a realistic prospect for “one or more” enlargement countries to reach the finish line during the current mandate of the European Commission.

Kos said peace, freedom and prosperity today depend on a stronger and more united Europe.

She said she told Western Balkan leaders they can count on her as a member of the teams that will work on their accession to the EU.

Kos stressed that it is not only a matter of what the EU will bring to the enlargement countries, but also what they can contribute to a stronger and more secure Europe, stressing that the enlargement process will remain merit-based, above all in terms of the rule of law.

“If candidates deliver, I want to match their efforts,” Kos underscored, adding that the new European Commission is an “enlargement Commission”.

According to Kos, in Brussels there is unity around building a bigger and stronger Europe, stressing that the candidate countries also need to demonstrate similar unity and commitment, which, she said, requires cooperation between authorities, the opposition, civil sector and all segments of society.

“We will be doing a lot of technical work together, but I would like us to be aware that enlargement is not just a technical process, it is nothing short of the reunification of Europe, it is about the people,” she said.

The forum was also addressed by the Director-General of the Directorate-General Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (NEAR), Gert Jan Koopman, who said the EU is returning to the “spirit of 2004” in regard to the enlargement process, referring to the year when the 10 new members joined the Union.

He said with the new European Commission, the focus next year will be largely placed on enlargement.

Photo: MIA