EP president: Enlargement not EU's top priority

Source: NIN

BELGRADE -- Enlargement of the EU cannot be a top priority of Brussels at a time when the economic crisis is shaking the very foundations of the EU, says Martin Schulz.

(Tanjug, file)

The German politician, who serves as president of the European Parliament (EP), told the Belgrade-based weekly NIN that the enlargement process will, however, continue.
"The EU is not closing its doors to new members from the Western Balkans, and Croatia joining is proof of that," Schultz was quoted as saying.

He pointed out that "there will be no new requirements for Serbia's membership in the EU."

"The criteria for membership is already hard enough to meet even without any new requirements," said he.

He also stated that what is happening in relations between Belgrade and Priština was "of historical significance":

"I follow closely and fully support the talks between prime ministers Ivica Dačić and Hashim Thaci. Serbian leaders have demonstrated skills of statesmanship, courage and vision."

According to him, "the European Parliament would like relations between Belgrade and Priština to normalize as soon as possible."

Schultz also said that in the future he saw "both Serbia and Kosovo" in the European Union.

Asked what the EU might look by a time Serbia became a member, Schultz said he was "convinced that the EU will overcome the current difficulties."

"The EU will have to integrate further, it may create a fiscal union and will move towards a political union. It is a necessity in a global world. Even Germany counts as small compared to the U.S. or China, but the whole EU is not small. Together, our GDP and population are higher than in the U.S.," said Schultz.

The EP president added that the main challenge will be to reconcile the processes with what he said were "current nationalistic tendencies in some member-states":

"But I am confident that the EU will continue to exist as a zone of shared values, prosperity and stability, with Serbia as a member."