During a CIVEX Commission meeting chaired by EPP-CoR member Mark Speich, Secretary of State of North Rhine-Westphalia, EPP members spoke about their commitment to support Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs) in the path of the Western Balkans towards EU accession.
During the meeting, Nikola Dobroslavić, Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County and Chair of the CoR Working Group on the Western Balkans, presented the Working Programme of the Working Group on the Western Balkans for 2020-2025. He said that through the Working Programme the CoR wants to promote dialogue and cooperation with LRAs in Western Balkans, promote EU values, strengthen the role of LRAs in Western Balkans and address deficiencies in local democracy.
Members also held an exchange of views on the Enlargement Package 2020 with Rapporteur Nikola Dobroslavić. He said "The European Union’s commitment to the enlargement process for the Western Balkan countries is an opportunity for both sides, strengthened by the new Economic and Investment Plan. Local and regional authorities are an indispensable partner if we are to deliver on Enlargement – from improving the rule of law to good neighborly relations." Dobroslavić added that enlargement is good not only for enlargement countries but also for the EU in economic terms and in terms of security provided that countries fulfil criteria for membership. He stressed that this is an opportunity to strengthen LRAs in enlargement countries, address short comings in local democracy and to boost investment.
In his reaction, Franz Schausberger, Representative of Salzburg Province said that in the context of the coronavirus pandemic it has been made evident how important the role of LRA is in administration. In this regard he said "When funds are made available for the Western Balkans, we need LRAs to be involved to ensure that money is spent well on local projects." He added that the European Commission needs to highlight the importance of LRAs and strengthen their capacities as if this does not happen, the governments cannot address Enlargement seriously.
Helma Kuhn-Theis, Member of Weiskirchen Municipal Council stressed the need to help Western Balkans to fight corruption and bring them closer to Europe and European values. She added that the situation in Turkey is more serious. "What is currently happening in Turkey highlights how Turkey is far from embracing European values. We need to ensure that we provide solutions in interest of our common Europe." she concluded.
Members also held a Thematic debate on the Conference on the Future of Europe and the Western Balkans. Schausberger said that enlargement must be a topic of the Conference on the Future of Europe and that Western Balkans states must be properly represented. He said "We will all benefit from enlargement, it is more than just a symbol and we must make it clear that we are serious about it." Schausberger expressed satisfaction following the latest developments. "There is light at the end of the tunnel. I am very glad to see that in Bosnia and Herzegovina we have had the first elections on a local level after 12 years. We must acknowledge the positive signals." he concluded.