Serbia and Montenegro may join the EU soon
The European Commission is going to accelerate the negotiation with Serbia and Montenegro to join the European Union, Die Welt reports with reference to the latest strategic document of the European Commission. "By 2025, they should be ready to become members of the EU," the document says.
Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy will introduce a new EU strategy for the Balkan countries in Brussels on Tuesday, February 6. He said that Serbia and Montenegro may join the union by 2025, but only if "they fulfill all the necessary requirements."
Hahn emphasized that the “door” to the EU is open for Western Balkan nations but only "with the appropriate efforts on their part - these are the terms of the deal." Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo are also likely to join the EU in the future though Hahn did not say when that would be likely to happen.
According to the European Commission's strategy, "Entry of the Western Balkans into the European Union meets political and economic interests of the Union, as well as contributes to its security." He also pointed out, "This door is always open.
We have already done a lot, but for now we need to know what's next: what steps are possible and realistic? We need to realize concluded agreements. Much of this remains on paper and must be implemented as soon as possible," he stressed.