Hahn: In the EU by 2025 if the implementation of the reforms is intensified

EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn in the interview with Die Welt said that 2025 was a realistic date for EU accession of new members from the Western Balkans, but only if membership requirements were met prior to joining.

“The date 2025 is indicative, but if the implementation of the reforms is intensified, it is rather realistic. However, all membership requirements must be met prior to joining, there is no shortcut. The motto here is: quality goes before speed,” Hahn said.

Hahn welcomed the vote by the Macedonian Parliament in favor of the constitutional amendments.

“I am thankful that all members of the parliament who fulfilled their responsibilities and put the interests of the country before their political party interests. This especially refers to opposition MPs who voted against the party line and for that reasons they faced party exclusion,” Hahn noted.

He is confident that Prespa Agreement will be adopted in Greece, noting that this agreement will send an important signal of reconciliation for the entire region.

It could also have an invigorating effect on resolving the dispute between Serbia and Kosovo, and to lead to a breakthrough in the accession process of the Western Balkans. The EU member states argue that EU accession by the Western Balkan countries only makes sense if all six countries can be included and solution for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia makes this scenario much more likely, Hahn said, adding that the progress of Macedonia creates an atmosphere of ‘positive competition.’