SkopjeDiem Macedonia in English
According to the EU’s Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, if the Union doesn’t send a clear signal for a start of membership negotiations with Macedonia and Albania, it risks losing its influence in the Western Balkans (WB). “If, after the two delays, we don’t send a clear signal today or at the Council of the EU on Thursday at the latest, we mustn’t be surprised if we no longer have influence in the Balkans,” he says for Austrian agency APA, adding that he hopes reason will win in regards to the matter. In the Commissioner’s view, the loss of influence in the Balkans cannot be in the interest of the Union because it’s nonetheless about a region that represents a “yard of the EU”. “Many talk about efficacy in world politics, about a strong Europe. However, if we cannot function in the direct neighbourhood, there’s no need for us to ask a question about global action,” he stresses. Hahn considers that in order to secure proactive action instead of just reacting to the developments, the Union must think about making decisions according to the majority principle.
