BRUSSELS / STRASBOURG – The Enlargement Strategy, entitled “The Credible Enlargement Perspective for the Western Balkans” will be presented on 6 February during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the portal European Western Balkans is exclusively learned.
As confirmed for our portal in Brussels, the College of Commissioners, chaired by President Jean-Claude Juncker, will meet in Strasbourg that morning and adopt the final text of the strategy by noon.
The Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, will present the strategy before the members of European Parliament on the same day at 15:00. At that time, the strategy will be publicly disclosed through the portals of European institutions, as well through the media.
According to the media, who had an insight into the strategy, the document “The Credible Enlargement Perspective for the Western Balkans” will include general guidelines for a faster process of integration of all countries in the region, as well as more specific evaluation dates for Montenegro and Serbia.
According to the indicative timeframe of the European Commission, 2019 will be crucial for the countries of the Western Balkans. The document on “comprehensive normalization of relations” between Serbia and Kosovo is expected to be signed that year, while Albania and Macedonia should open accession negotiations with Brussels, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will receive the status of candidate for membership in the European Union.
Also, the same year will be crucial for Montenegro and Serbia in negotiating the so-called “blocking” chapters 23 and 24 that refer to the judiciary and fundamental rights, and justice, freedom and security.
The College of Commissioners, comprised of the 28 Commissioners, meets at least once per week. In practice, the Commissioners meet every Wednesday morning in Brussels, however, during the plenary sessions of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the meeting takes place on a Tuesday.