Speaking in the European Parliament, the National Rally MEP claimed such a plan would see the inevitable decline of the EU Ms Bilde also claimed that with Brexit, the bloc has lost an important financial partner that would be irreplaceable with the Balkans's struggling economies. She said: The enlargement process to the Western Balkans is a symptom of the democratic deficit of the EU. Indeed, 59 percent of the French are opposed to this. The figures for other member states, such as Germany and Austria, are similar. This massive rejection contrasts with the apparent fait accompli emanating from the European authorities. For example, the President of the Commission declared at today's summit that the Balkans were already 'part of the EU'.
This enlargement is not only a social and economic aberration, but also a democratic disaster. First of all, because with Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina excluding the Serbian Republic the EU wild be integrating for the first time states with a majority of Muslims and, above all, with a radical imported Islam. In fact, the region stood out for having the highest concentration of jihadists returning from Syria or Iraq in Europe. Moreover, while the EU has lost, with Brexit, a major net contributor and one of its economic engines, these countries are undeniably behind in this area. Our industries will inevitably suffer from increased competition.
Albania stands out in this respect with the lowest minimum wage in Europe. The textile sector, which is beginning a massive renaissance in my region of the Grand East, will soon be swept away by this timid dumping. In short, this inevitable project confirms the senseless decline of the EU. This decline is all the more evident in view of the dynamism of the United Kingdom since its departure, defying all predictions. The European Union's 27 leaders promised future membership to their six Balkan neighbours last month, restating a pledge made first 18 years ago, but they brushed aside calls for a 2030 goal for fear of a backlash at home over migration. After weeks of deliberation, EU leaders agreed that Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania have a place in the world's largest trading bloc if they fulfil the criteria on areas from judicial reform to economics. Brexit LIVE: New row blown open as Frost blasts EU revenge plot Speaker explodes at Sunak as he demands Chancellor has to RESIGN VIDEO Brexit: EU turns screw Article 16 row explodes INSIGHT But with the enlargement process blocked by various disputes in Brussels and Serbian political leaders reluctant to ever recognise Kosovo's 2008 independence, many in the Balkans feel the EU declaration is an empty statement. The EU reaffirms its unequivocal support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans, the final summit declaration said. The EU reconfirms its commitment to the enlargement process, it said, although leaders insisted that the bloc focus on fair and rigorous reforms by partners, credible conditionality and the principle of own merits. Emmanuel Macron struck a conciliatory tone, saying the Balkans were at the heart of Europe and deserved a pathway to membership.
Northern countries such as Denmark, France and the Netherlands fear a repeat of the rushed accession of Romania and Bulgaria in 2007 and the poorly managed migration of eastern European workers to Britain that turned many Britons against the EU. Bulgaria is against North Macedonia, already a NATO member, joining NATO because of a language dispute. The EU is by far the biggest foreign investor and trade partner of the six countries that emerged from the break up of Yugoslavia and ethnic wars of the Nineties. An attempt by EU presidency chair Slovenia to make 2030 a target date for the six countries to join was unsuccessful and the bloc has also failed to make good on promises that are tangible to citizens, such as visa-free travel for Kosovo. German Chancellor Mark Rutte and Dutch Prime Minister Angela Merkel said that setting a deadline for accession went too far for many EU states. I don't really believe in setting dates, I believe in making good on our promises: Once the conditions are met the accession can take place, Mrs Merkel told reporters. Taking the 27 - nation club to 33 members would complicate its internal decision-making and require internal EU reform that few states want to embark upon, something Macron and EU Council President Charles Michel acknowledged to reporters.