BRUSSELS – Romania, as the country that holds Presidency over the Council of the European Union, intends to hold the Intergovernmental Conferences with Serbia and Montenegro by the end of June, Tanjug reports.
“When it comes to Serbia, the goal is to hold the Intergovernmental Conference at the end of the month. They are working on consultations with the Member States, but the plan is to organise an Intergovernmental Conference with Serbia in the last week of June, and one with Montenegro,” said Tanjug’s sources from the Council.
The EU-Serbia Intergovernmental Conference could be organised on June 27 or on the following day, in Brussels, Tanjug reports.
In addition to this conference, the EU member states are considering the adoption of conclusions on 2019 Enlargement Package.
This is a regular annual procedure where EU member states, based on the European Commission’s country reports on the progress of countries in the European integration process, give their assessment of the next steps in the field of enlargement policy.
Serbia could be requested through the Council’s conclusions to continue its efforts in key reform areas, especially when it comes to the rule of law, according to Tanjug.
This time in Conclusions on the Enlargement Package, the Member States could also provide an answer to the European Commission’s recommendation to start accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania.
As there is no consensus on this matter within the EU, primarily because France refused to open accession negotiations with the two countries from the Western Balkans, there is a chance that this decision could be postponed for July or later this year.
“It is a political decision on which steps the EU should take next when it comes to the Enlargement Package. At the moment, all options are on the table,” said sources from the Council.
Ministers in charge of European affairs will meet in Luxembourg on June 18 to discuss 2019 Enlargement Package.