The United States has warned the EU that it is losing the credibility of the Western Balkans

The United States has once again reminded the European Union of the risk of losing confidence in the Western Balkans at the expense of Russia’s and China’s successes, Bloomberg reported.

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Europe Philip Reeker issued the warning during the Prespa Dialogue Forum in Ohrid. It included political leaders from the Western Balkans and other countries (such as the United States and neighboring Greece), experts and journalists last week. There were no Bulgarian representatives, and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev regretted it, although invitations had been sent to Sofia.

The region of 18 million people needs “real action” by the EU at a time when the confidence of the people – and therefore its influence – has reached a very low level. “We are at an extremely important crossroads, where promises may no longer receive the same trust if no real action is taken to deliver on the commitment,” Reeker said.

The US envoy said more investment and a stronger commitment to the Balkans were needed to make the region “attractive to high-quality global investors” who could be an alternative to Russia’s and China’s actions.

Resistance

Reeker does not mention Bulgaria, but the country has become a major factor in blocking negotiations with the European Union.

Bloomberg notes that in Western Europe, many countries are reluctant to expand because of the memory of corruption scandals and the challenges to democracy in some of the more recent members.

At the same time, the most openly opposing party to the negotiations with one of the countries withdrew its position against their start a few weeks ago. The Netherlands has announced that Albania is ready to start negotiations after its parliament has long had reservations on the issue. Earlier, France vetoed (in agreement to negotiate in principle) the argument that the EU must first reform the methodology of dialogue with the candidates.

“I understand Bulgaria, but …”

The forum took place at a time when the presidency of the European Union has passed from Portugal to Slovenia. For the Bulgarian National Radio, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa announced that he understands Bulgaria’s position on the veto, but a compromise must be made. According to him, it is good for Sofia to accept “a nation that speaks a similar language and has a similar culture. It may be a controversial issue, but we must have a strategic view of things.”

“When we are in a family, first comes the interest of its member and then the interests of the others. We must behave like a family, but we must try and find a compromise.”

Jansha also reiterated his position a few weeks ago that if the EU does not expand, someone else will, and to help the Western Balkans: “Those who have it (European future) must lend a hand. Otherwise, others extend their influence over them.”

New declaration

In this situation, a new initiative committee emerged with seven scientists and members of the public with a scathing declaration and seven conditions from northern Macedonia to receive support from Bulgaria to start negotiations.

The signatories of the declaration are Acad. Georgi Markov, Prof. Kazimir Popkonstantinov, Prof. Plamen Pavlov, Prof. Hristo Prodanov, Prof. Hristo Smolenov, Prof. Trendafil Mitev, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alexander Grebenarov and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgi Nikolov.

According to them, support for the start of negotiations is possible only with very specific requests: legal guarantees that the Neighborhood Agreement and the forthcoming commitments in the negotiating framework will be respected; waiver of minority and territorial claims; rehabilitation of the victims of Yugoslav communism with Bulgarian self-consciousness; change in curricula; removal of signs and inscriptions; and adherence to the “clause established and ratified by the parliaments of the two countries on the official language of the Republic of Northern Macedonia. This clause should find appropriate expression in the official documents of the European Union”.