Press Release

26/11/2009

Perspective of Western Balkan's entry to the European Union has to be kept alive. Doris Pack MEP

European Parliament votes on enlargement strategy of the European Union

"The countries of the Western Balkan must have a perspective to enter the European Union", said Doris Pack MEP after today's vote on the enlargement of the European Union.

"The enlargement of the European Union with the countries of the Western Balkan is a decided cause. The entry of these countries, after they have met all the criteria, is no act of mercy, but a simple necessity in view of their geographical position in the middle of the European Union: their stability is a precondition for ours", said Pack.

"It is important that the countries of the Western Balkans meet the criteria for entry to the European Union", Pack said. "The Copenhagen criteria must be respected. The compliance with this criteria is a condition of entry", said Pack. A date for entry must not be fixed without all criteria having been met, as was unfortunately the case with Bulgaria and Romania.

Pack continued: "All countries in the region have to meet the necessary criteria as a constitutional legality, for democracy, and respect for human rights. They have already come a long way. We have to help them make the rest of the journey."

With the Resolution approved today, the European Parliament is demonstrating its position on the European Commmission's strategy document on the Western Balkans, Iceland and Turkey.

(Translation from the original German)

For further information:
Doris Pack MEP, Tel: +32-2-2847310
Lasse Böhm, EPP Group Press Service, Tel: +32-484-656897

Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 265 Members.