Keeping the EU enlargement momentum: civil society’s push to bring benefits to Western Balkans through gradual integration

20 years after the accession of Slovenia to the EU, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) gathered political and civil society leaders in Ljubljana to mark this symbolic anniversary, underlining the fundamental benefits of EU membership and reaffirming that the future of the Western Balkan region lies in the European Union. Speaking at the conference, EESC President Oliver Röpke stressed the EESC's continuous support to the gradual integration of the Western Balkan region in the European Union, announcing the 'Civil Society Enlargement Summit' in Brussels on 19 September.

Enlargement has proved to be one of the most successful tools in consolidating the peace, stability and prosperity of the Union. The conference "Continuing the success story of EU enlargement - Bringing benefits to the Western Balkans in advance of accession", organised by the EESC in close cooperation with the European Commission and the Open Society Foundation-Western Balkans put the spotlight on the necessary reforms to progress on the accession path, including the importance of upholding the EU's fundamental values. At the same time, civil society set clear expectations that the benefits of EU membership must be felt by people in the region before the actual accession to the EU.

Speaking at the conference, President Oliver Röpke was joined by Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs,Tanja Fajon, Slovenian Minister of Labour, Luka Mesec, and Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu. 

As the EESC president Oliver Röpke highlighted: "Slovenia is a success story of the EU's enlargement, and this is the message I want to share with our Western Balkan partners: the European path is a path to a better future. I believe in gradual integration and in bringing the benefits of EU membership now. We need tangible results, not empty words. The place of the Western Balkans is in the EU; until then, our EU family is not complete. You can count on the EESC to continue to do its part by organising a ‘Civil Society Enlargement Summit’ in September."

Tanja Fajon, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs said: "European values, which we must always rely on, the solidarity that reigns in the EU, the rule of law and a generally better life for everyone, are what membership of the European Union brings. I believe that in the current geopolitical situation we need each other more than ever before. For this process, we need civil society to put pressure on politics and the government to move in the direction of getting closer to the EU."

Luka Mesec, Slovenian Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of Slovenia, said: "Slovenia and the Western Balkan countries have a long common history. We were part of the same country for a good part of the last century. That is why I cannot imagine the future any other way than us living together again. Our common home is the European Union, so I will work together with the Slovenian government – of which I am a part – to facilitate the accession of the countries of the Western Balkans to the European Union".

Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) speaking about reforms needed in the region, stressed: "Under the weight of various consecutive crises, the EU’s “cold feet” were often met with our region’s reform fatigue and unconvincing reform records, creating many vicious instead of virtuous circles. Until the aspirations of some 18 million citizens for a stronger Union- with the Western Balkans firmly in its fold and the potential to become greater - materialise, the Common Regional Market (CRM) is bringing the region closer together and to the EU Single Market, fast-tracking the much-needed convergence between the Western Balkans and the EU. This is where the RCC is placing its undivided focus".

Gradual integration of candidate countries into EU

As the first EU institution, the EESC has decided to gradually integrate EU candidate countries in its work, including Western Balkan partners, through its "Enlargement Candidates Members" initiative. As of February, 146 representatives from those countries can work alongside EESC members in drafting opinions on issues that matter to them such as cohesion policy, the Single Market and the rule of law.

As a next step the EESC will organise a 'Civil Society Enlargement Summit' on 19 September inviting all the ECMs to participate in the EESC Plenary session, for the first time ever.

The conclusion from today's conference on "Continuing the success story of EU enlargement - Bringing benefits to the Western Balkans in advance of accession" will be available online.