Verhofstadt: All Balkan countries should join the EU as soon as possible
MEP Verhofstadt said the need for enlargement with the Balkans is of economic, political and geopolitical reasons, namely the region’s stabilization and preventing the return of violence in the area.
“There are obstacles in the EU which I believe will be resolved. I hope the European Council takes a positive decision in October and starts negotiations,” added Verhofstadt.
He noted there is still resistance regarding enlargement among certain EU member-states due to the fear from migration processes, adding that youth migration should not be seen as a negative phenomenon on the long run, because the accession of new members would solve the future of young people.
“There is not much enlargement enthusiasm at this time because of EU’s mistake in the past, when it opened the doors to 10 new members,” said Verhofstadt.
He added that the Union’s management is not the same with 27 members compared to 30.
“You cannot manage 30 states, an entire continent, if the unanimity rule is there for every single decision. If we want to welcome the Balkan states in our Union, we must always think about the future structure related to the decision-making process. We must rescind the unanimity rule because this is the only way for the EU to continue with the enlargement process and the management of 30 countries,” said Verhofstadt.