Balkans: virtual summit with the European Union against a background of coronaviruses and frustration

European Council President Charles Michel at a press conference after the video conference between the EU and 6 Balkan countries on May 6, 2020 in Brussels. OLIVIER MATTHYS / POOL / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

A summit bringing together the European Union and the six countries of the Western Balkans took place this Wednesday, May 6. A videoconference summit due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The opportunity for the 27 to express their solidarity with this region where several countries are already negotiating future membership.

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An envelope of 3.3 billion euros released by the European Union to help Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, North Macedonia , Montenegro and Serbia. All must fight against the pandemic and above all, its economic consequences.

This gesture from Brussels should try to reassure the Balkan countries where some have deplored the lack of solidarity of the European Union in recent weeks, analyzes Nicolas Falez of the international service of RFI. But for the President of the European Council Charles Michel, the virtual summit on Wednesday sent a strong message to the countries of the Western Balkans.

During this meeting by video conference, we had the opportunity to reaffirm at the highest political level the European perspective for this region, " insisted Charles Michel. And this means that the pursuit of reforms, particularly in relation to the rule of law, democratic values, the fight against corruption or the fight against organized crime, must remain absolutely essential priorities.  "

The Serbia and Montenegro have started accession negotiations. North Macedonia is only at the stage of accession talks. Same thing but under condition for Albania . Bosnia and Kosovo do not have candidate status.

European frustration after praise from Beijing and Moscow

Before this virtual summit, European diplomats have confided the frustration of the EU, which considers that it does not benefit from sufficient recognition for this aid of 3.3 billion euros. Superior aid, they argued, to doctors and medical supplies sent by China and Russia to Serbia and Bosnia during the early stages of the Covid-19 epidemic, at a time when the collective response from the European Union was late. The praise addressed to Beijing and Moscow by the Balkan countries displeased the EU member states.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic publicly thanked his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and the Chinese people. As for the Serbian representative of the Bosnian tripartite presidency, Miorad Dodik, he praised Russia last month and criticized Brussels for initially restricting exports of medical aid to countries outside the EU. The Europe we believed in ten years ago no longer exists today,  " he said, even though he has since softened his rhetoric.

After being neglected for a long time, the six Balkan countries are now receiving the attention of EU governments, which have been concerned for several years about the influence of China and Russia in the region. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned last November that if the Union does not do more, "  others will do it  ".

(With Reuters)

► Read also: Headlines: the Balkan economies hit hard by the coronavirus

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