At a roundtable with Western Balkan leaders in Skopje, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos made it clear that without reforms being made and implemented, there will be no EU membership and no full reimbursement of funds from the growth plan. If every leader makes an effort to reform the country, then some of them, according to Kos, could become EU member states within her mandate.
"United we are stronger. For the first time in the history of Europe, if we do the enlargement process properly, we can unite our Europe. But Europe cannot be united without the Western Balkans. I want to be very clear that at this moment there is a full consensus on enlargement, there was not in the past, but this window may not remain open indefinitely. Albania has opened 3 groups of chapters in the last 6 months and if it continues at this pace we can open all chapters within this year. We are waiting for the new government of Mr. Kurti to put a lot of energy into the negotiation process. Now we are moving to Serbia and I hope that we will soon move forward."
Kos said that countries have two weeks to submit the report on the reform agenda to benefit from the development plan.
"The development plan will help you with reforms. You have two weeks to submit the second report on the reform agenda of the states you lead. I know that reforms are difficult, but it is a process that will give you the opportunity to play in the same league as EU member states. I would call it the Premier League."
Of the funds that will be reimbursed to you, 50% will go to your assistance to help invest in the construction of roads, railways, photovoltaic parks and digital infrastructure.
"Growth and development is in your hands to show the EU that you are ready for more. EU countries are monitoring you. And of course let's see if some of you can perhaps become EU member states during my mandate." (A2 Televizion)
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