Nationalism in the region is growing

 

The process of the Western Balkans' accession to the European Union is too slow and therefore reinforces political nationalism and statements about border changes that threaten peace and security in the region, Slovenian President Borut Pahor said after a visit to Serbia, quoted by Skopje-based MKD. .

"In recent years, I have warned and am doing today that the process of integrating the region is too slow, which is resuming policies of nationalism and changing borders that are dangerous to peace and security," Pahor told a joint news conference in Belgrade with his Serbian counterpart. Alexander Vucic.                                                                                    He emphasized that the enlargement of the Union was the only answer to the rise of nationalism and the idea of ​​changing borders.

Asked whether the EU would condemn statements by Albanian authorities about the reunification of Albania and Kosovo, Pahor said he had "no authority or mandate" to answer on behalf of the EU, but his position was that such statements deepened concerns.                                                           The President of Slovenia, which holds the EU presidency until the end of the year, believes that the Union and the candidate countries must "do more than in previous years" around the candidacies, reforms and the European integration process with accelerated and fair negotiations to speed up their path. of accession.

"If the EU says we will open the clusters - thank you. If he doesn't want us to open the clusters - thanks again. "We are implementing reforms for our citizens," Vucic said.

The Serbian president noted that any talks "could be a step" towards peace in the region.