Bildt: Sweden backs Balkans' EU push
Published: 10 Nov 11 08:11 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/37270/20111110/
Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said Wednesday that Sweden supports Western Balkan nations' EU aspirations, as Serbia seeks candidate status next month, but warned reforms must be an ongoing process.
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However he warned the aspiring countries that the reforms necessary for their European integration are an "ongoing process."
"This is not something to be solved in one goal or with one decision, it is a process that lasts," Bildt cautioned.
Jeremic said Belgrade was aware of "scepticism towards EU enlargement" but insisted Serbia would continue with the reforms necessary for European Union
integration.
"It is a long process and we should not have any ilusions it will be accelerated but the transformation of our society is in our best interest," Jeremic said.
Western Balkan countries include all former Yugoslavia's republics - Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, plus Slovenia which joined the EU in 2004, and Albania. They are in very different phases on their EU path.
The most advanced is Croatia, set to become the bloc's newest member in
2013.
Last month the European Commission proposed opening accession talks with Montenegro and awarding candidate status to Serbia under condition that Belgrade makes progress in normalizing ties with breakaway Kosovo.
EU leaders should decide on the recommendations at their December 9th summit.
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