Brussels, (MINA) – The elections for the European Parliament will significantly influence the enlargement policy, said EP MP Tanja Fajon, adding that for the WB countries the EU membership is the best choice, regardless their connections with the USA, Russia, China or Turkey.
The EP elections will take place from 23 to 26 May, and Fajon hopes that many citizens will vote, since EP elections cannot brag with high turnout in the previous election processes.
Fajon told Mina that she wanted to wake in Europe that will be led by progressive leaders, and not nationalists with neo-fascistic agendas.
She added that it was high time to return the EU to the path of social democracy after long rule of conservatives.
Fajon believes that the elections will significantly influence the enlargement policy, and that there will be more MPs in the parliament who actively support and advocate enlargement.
She remarked that it is a fact that the Union has faced a series of challenges recently, starting from migrant issue, terrorism, security and Brexit, as well as the rise of right-wing populism and nationalistic agendas.
That, according to Fajon, would eclipse the enlargement process and give boost to those who only partially supported enlargement previously.
“Adding the other side to this equation, the aspiring EU countries, I can say that the Union will be ready for new member states once its leaders become aware of long-term benefits of the enlargement policy, one of the most successful EU policies, once the future member states prove that they function in line with fundamental EU values”, said Fajon.
She said that the enlargement process can be undoubtedly slowed down if the trend of nationalistic politics continue prevailing in the EU member states.
Asked if she agreed with the comment that, if the EU loses the WB from sight, other stakeholders will increase their influence, Fajon responded that the Balkans has always been an important geopolitical target.
“Of course, large countries and important stakeholders in the international scene, such as the USA, China, Turkey and Russia, want to increase their influence, in various manners. It is a game of power and overpowering, which is as old as the world itself”, Fajon stated.
She believes that the EU membership is the best choice in the current circumstances, regardless the connections the WB countries have with those countries, whether they are historical, cultural, religious, political or economic.
Furthermore, Fajon believes that the EU is the biggest donor, although a wrong image that it is not present enough is perceived.
According to her, the challenges that the Union has been facing in the recent years eclipsed the enlargement.
“But I believe that under new progressive leadership and increased efforts of the WB countries, the enlargement can again get the place it deserves- the priority among the EU policies”, Fajon concluded.
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