The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli has appealed for the countries in the Western Balkans to be permitted to join the European Union by defining the enlargement process as a “positive project for the achievement of peace and prosperity”.

In an interview for the German media Funke, Sassoli underlined that the enlargement brings about benefits for all sides.

“Enlargement can bring immense benefits both to the region and to Europe as a whole, helping to secure a stable, prosperous and peaceful continent,” stated PE president, Sassoli.

The rhythm, as he pointed out, will depend on the fulfilled of the criteria of accession by the countries of the Western Balkans.

“Reforms still need to be completed in every single one of these countries,” statedSassoli, adding that the EU must also keep its promises and recognize the progress that has already been achieved by these states.

One day ago, during an interview for the German newspaper Bild, PM Edi Rama had accused the leaders of the EU member states for blocking the accession process for Albania and North Macedonia.

“The EU has ‘broken its promises’ and is leading to a division amongst the people of the Balkans through ‘political cynicism’. It’s like the story ‘Waiting for Godot’. A lot of words, but no action,” – stated Rama, in his interview for Bild.

The EU is currently conducting accession talks for the membership of Montenegro and Serbia, whereas Albania and North Macedonia are official candidates. Whereas as of now, Bosnia and Hercegovina and Kosovo have been considered as possible candidates. Bulgaria has put the veto on Skopje because of disagreements stemming from their shared history. Sofia refuses to recognize the Macedonian language as its own entity, claiming that it belongs to a Bulgarian dialect.