Split / Brussels, May 7, 2020
In the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Member of the European Parliament Željana Zovko had an exchange of views with Enlargement and Neighborhood Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi. As EPP Vice-Coordinator, she participated in the debriefing on the outcome of the Western Balkans summit as well as on unprecedented European support for the Western Balkan countries to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. On behalf of the EPP, Zovko welcomed the outcome of the Zagreb summit and thanked the Croatian presidency for its achievement.
In her address to the Commissioner, Zovko said that the Summit was an important message to our neighbours and showed that the leaders of the European Union have the knowledge of wha
t is going on in the region and why it is important to continue the enlargement perspective. Zovko also welcomed the appointment of Miroslav Lajčák as equidistant player on the part of European Union to continue the dialogue between Belgrade and Priština.
Zovko also asked the Commissioner how the situation will develop after the Zagreb Summit, in particular in Bosnia and Herzegivina and Kosovo. “In November we will be marking 25th anniversary of Dayton Peace Agreement. Unfortunately nothing has changed regarding the constitutional impasse in Bosnia and Herzegovina. What is the Commission’s stance on this issue and will the EU undertake action by addressing the lessons learned in order to facilitate a breakthrough? How will the Commission make Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo move forward with the other partners in the Western Balkans?” Zovko asked.
The extraordinary session of the Committee on Foreign Affairs was convened on the occasion of yesterday’s summit on the Western Balkans. Six leaders from the Western Balkan countries, leaders from the EU Member States and the presidents of the European Council, the Commission and the European Parliament gathered in a video conference organized under Croatia’s presidency of the Council. During the meeting, EU leaders reaffirmed the unequivocal support for the European perspective for the Western Balkans. The Participants also highlighted the common solidarity in tackling the coronacrisis.
You can hear the remote intervention of MEP Zovko and see the response of Commissioner Varhelyi in the video below.