Vladimir Prebilič, a member of the European Parliament's Delegation for Serbia, discussed EU enlargement, the bloc’s green policies, and the specific benefits of membership for the Western Balkans and the European Union itself in an interview for EUpravo Zato.
Do you share Marta Kos's enthusiasm that 2025 could be the most successful year for the enlargement process?
I believe that there can never be too much enthusiasm and optimism. Marta Kos herself has embarked on a mini tour of the Western Balkans. I believe there will be some progress—we have already had bilateral agreements and discussions with Western Balkan countries. We are currently travelling through North Macedonia, and we plan to visit other countries as well. From our side, we will do everything possible to provide support, but we must not forget that there is still a lot of work to be done at home.
There are still homework assignments to complete—reform processes in many countries remain a challenge, leaving room for further progress at the domestic level. The Western Balkans undoubtedly enjoys strong support in the European Parliament; there is no doubt about that.
Of course, there are some unresolved issues between certain countries—for example, Croatia and Montenegro still have outstanding disputes, as do Bulgaria and North Macedonia. However, I believe that through parliamentary debates and mutual rapprochement, significant progress can also be made in this regard.
How important are green policies, not just in EU member states but also in candidate countries?
I don’t think there has ever been a question of whether enlargement is necessary or not when it comes to green policies. We all agree that it is necessary and that the Western Balkans must become part of the EU family. All Western Balkan countries have our support.
I must also say that, in our own countries, in our green political structures, it has never been a question of whether support exists or not—but it is something that always needs further work.
We are aware that some EU countries have reservations about the speed and timing of the Western Balkans’ accession to the EU. That is why our role in the European Parliament is to act as ambassadors and facilitate communication between the governments of these countries and the European Parliament, to prevent a situation where everything is prepared, but the countries fail to give their support for accession.
What are the specific benefits of membership for the Western Balkans and for the EU itself?
For the Western Balkans, there are three key benefits that are important for everyone.
The first is the development of democracy. I believe we all agree that there is room for improvement in terms of democracy and human rights. These are core values of the European Union, and now is the right time to strengthen and enhance them further.
The second point is economic progress. It is clear that the entire Western Balkans would benefit from economic development, and that progress would be beneficial both for the region and for the European Union.
Third, security. As long as the Western Balkans remain outside the EU, issues related to stability, migration, and broader geopolitical concerns remain unresolved. That is why it would be beneficial to speed up the accession process and integrate the region into the European family as soon as possible.
From the European Union's perspective, this is primarily a security issue, but it is also an economic opportunity. Deepening economic cooperation can bring mutual benefits. Additionally, when living standards rise in all EU countries, it benefits everyone living within the Union.
(EUpravo zato)
