European Parliament(Photo:Print Screen You Tube)
On Dec. 14, the European Parliament will convene in Strasbourg and discuss Western Balkan Euro-integrations as well as the region's fight against corruption and organized crime, the Parliament has announced.
In a report adopted by the EP's Committee on Foreign Affairs -- which will be discussed and then voted on by the assembly -- it was concluded that the main factors rendering the Western Balkans vulnerable are unemployment, corruption, disinformation, state capture elements, inequality and the external influence of non-democratic regimes such as Russia and China.
It is expected that the MEPs will request that the integration of the Western Balkans be sped up, which would also aid the region's fight against organized crime, the statement said.
The EP also recalled that the Union has, through Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance 2 (IPA II) funds, provided around EUR64 million for combating organized crime in the Western Balkans, the Euraktiv Srbija website has reported.
Furthermore, the EU assembly stated that said assistance entails strict conditions and can, therefore, be modified or even suspended should there be significant regression or a permanent lack of progress in the areas of rule of law and fundamental freedoms, including the fight against corruption and organized crime. The document calls on Western Balkan countries to focus their efforts on implementing the necessary reforms, and asks that the Union make enlargement one of its key priorities.
To get full access to all content of interest see our
Subscription offer
Or
Register for free
And read up to 5 articles each month.
Already have an account? Please Log in.