O. Chastel represents the Presidency in Bratislava at a meeting on EU enlargement
This October 22nd, the Secretary of State for European Affairs, representing the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, attended a meeting on Union enlargement to the countries of the Western Balkans.
The meeting was attended by the countries of the Visegrad Group (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary) and the countries of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia).
The Secretary of State for European Affairs stated that the Belgian Presidency of the Council fully backs the prospective membership of the countries of the Western Balkans. “The Belgian Presidency has been working to build a consensus between the various opinions of the members of the Council since July. The Belgian Presidency will continue this effort until the General Affairs Council of December 13th which will adopt the conclusions on enlargement based on the European Commission report," stated Olivier Chastel.
Serbia’s request for accession is on the agenda of the General Affairs Council of this Monday, October 25th. According to Olivier Chastel, “the Presidency will work to find a way forward that is acceptable to all of the Council members".
It is important for the Presidency of the Council that guarantees be put in place throughout the entire process to ensure that potential candidates fulfil all membership requirements by the end of the process. “New memberships should be the result of a process based on results and not on time elapsed or on the pressure of expectations” insisted Olivier Chastel. He also expressed his concern about the bilateral issues hindering the enlargement process. “In this respect, there is a need for pragmatism on both sides,” concluded the Secretary of State.
