Vlahović: Western Balkans destabilised, EU does not want it in its ranks

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - There is a lack of interest on the part of the EU for the issue of Western Balkans enlargement, while on the other hand the region lags behind with reforms and the desire to properly engage in these processes, assessed former Montenegrin ambassador to Washington and the Vatican Miodrag Vlahović, speaking at the Balkan Integration Forum organised today in Podgorica.

“The accession of the Western Balkans to the EU has been taken off the table, both due to a lack of interest and issues related to the EU's relations with other countries,” Vlahović said.

He emphasises that the most important thing is what the Balkan countries should do collectively while enlargement is not a topic for discussion.

“Because we have to do something in that interim period,” Vlahović stated.

He believes that the main problems in the Western Balkans are related to stability and security, as we have a degrading process and deterioration, which, as he notes, is evident in the example of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is constantly at risk of disintegration, Kosovo and Serbia, and Montenegro, where the government only declaratively advocates for integration processes.

“In Montenegro, an anti-European policy is developing - we have a government that says it is interested in integration, of course it respects membership in the NATO alliance, but it is completely against everything else, which I think is visible to everyone,” Vlahović said.

Source: Gradski.me