Picula is writing recommendations for new EU enlargement strategy

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The European Parliament has appointed Croatian MEP Tonino Picula as rapporteur for the new strategy of EU enlargement, it has been announced from his office.

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Following the EP's decision, his task is to formulate a proposal for a new enlargement strategy, which should then be adopted by the European Parliament and then sent to the European Council, the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Hina reported.

"The draft report entrusted to me by my colleagues clearly stresses the value of enlargement policy as a strategic investment in Europe's security and prosperity, and that it has already greatly contributed to establishing peace in war-torn areas," Picula said after he was appointed.

According to him, enlargement is the most effective instrument of EU's foreign policy and one of the most successful policies of the Union.

"It is also important for Croatia, because as long as we do not have other EU members on all our borders, we will not be able to make full use of all the possibilities of our membership," Picula stressed.

Speaking about relations with potential new members, Picula said that it is necessary for EU members to start fulfilling their obligations towards candidates who meet the conditions set before them, to avoid using unresolved bilateral disputes for blackmail and blocking the process of joining.

In the draft report, Picula proposes to speed up integration of countries that show strategic orientation and commitment to reforms necessary for EU membership, as well as to finally set clearer, more transparent and consistent benchmarks, and to improve progress and ensure continued political and technical support throughout the accession process.

When it comes to Croatia's neighborhood, the report seeks to recognize the achievements of the Western Balkans by opening accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia and approving visa liberalization for Kosovo without delay.

It is also necessary for the EU to help Bosnia and Herzegovina obtain candidate status as soon as possible, as well as encourage acceleration of the process of Montenegro's accession as the most advanced candidate, Picula concluded.

(Telegraf.rs)