This is going to get out of hand fast if they actually block Albania and, especially, Macedonia at this juncture. It’ll completely deflate what little reform impulse still exists in the region and reveal Brussels has no Plan B to enlargement.
I’ve long been an advocate of a more forceful EU approach in the Balkans. This isn’t it. Macedonia should be rewarded for what it has done over the last year. And virtually all the arguments for slowing Albania’s roll apply to Serbia & Montenegro too which are being waved thru.
If the concern is with the rampant criminality, not just in Albania but the region, then FRA & NED should push for sanctions against those responsible: political elites. That’s why EU states should have joined US sanctions vs Dodik. This is just pointless collective punishment.
And then tomorrow both Dutch & French politicians will complain about growing Russian & Turkish influence in the Balkans. Well guess who this benefits? Who can now say, “aha, told you they didn’t want you!” Incredibly shortsighted approach by these govts.
So, what France & the Netherlands are offering here is a hypocritical, uninformed, and ultimately self-destructive approach to the Western Balkans. By leaving the region to foreign authoritarians & local reactionaries you’re are asking for a continental crisis sooner or later.
The same appears to have decided re: Albania. A messy day that will leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth. There was no reason to do this to Macedonia & it'll make the eventual name referendum that much more volatile.
I say again, if France & the Netherlands really wanted to send a signal then they should i. target individual elites w sanctions & ii. confront Vucic (& Djukanovic) re: alarming democratic backsliding in Serbia (& Montenegro). Incredible betrayal of Macedonia, IMO.
I wrote last week that #Macedonia should be elevated as a game-changer in the Balkans: the first state were citizens toppled corrupt, unaccountable elites & opting at great personal risk for for EU/NATO. A slap in their face today by FRA & NED. balkaninsight.com/en/article/mac…
And yes, a date is better than no date but if you're wondering why so few folks, both elites & ordinary citizens, take the EU seriously in the Balkans, today was an absolute masterclass. As we say in Bosnia, these "Europeans" don't know whether they'd like to pee or poo.
