The Luxembourgish MEP Charles Goerens (Democratic Party)'s response is clear: no.
The European Union is currently in negotiations concerning joining the EU. This procedure includes applying countries providing proof that they are ready to join the EU, but also receive funds from the EU before becoming a member-state.
Serbia is the Balkan state which receives the most from the EU at €200 million per year.
The legislative period over the last five years has seen the European Commission repeatedly stress the need for progress before accepting new Balkan member states. The countries already belonging to the EU from this part of Europe are Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece.
Goerens believes that the process needs to continue slowly, as these countries are not yet ready in terms of the rule of law.
Economic plans for countries like Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia are also not yet solid.
Goerens explained that the issue is that countries will respect the EU’s laws at the moment of joining the European Union, but the EU lacks a sanction mechanism to prevent these countries from going astray. As a result, the DP politician is categorical that now is not the time for accepting new members.
He called for the Luxembourgish government to find a coalition that would block new memberships in the European Council.
In hindsight, accepting Romania and Bulgaria had not been smooth processes.
