The candidate for EU Enlargement Commissioner, Slovenia’s Marta Kos, said on Thursday that Montenegro and Albania have the possibility to conclude talks on membership in the bloc by 2026 and 2027, respectively.
She made these comments while speaking at a hearing in the European Parliament (EP), where she answered questions from deputies in the EP’s foreign policy committee.
Kos hopes to get the commission’s consent to be appointed to the position of Commissioner for Expansion.
She said during the hearing that she will be “committed” to speeding up the enlargement process and that she will maintain as a principle the position that candidate countries should join based on merit and the fulfillment of reforms and conditions for membership.
“Today, for the first time in ten years, there is a real opportunity to bring one or two countries closer to the end of the negotiation process. It may happen that we can conclude the negotiations with Montenegro, close all the chapters, until the end of 2026. With Albania until 2027”, she said.
Montenegro has opened all the negotiation chapters and temporarily closed 3. After several years of staying in the country, Montenegro restarted the negotiations in June of this year and is now working towards their closure.
On the other hand, Albania opened the first chapter of negotiations for membership with the European Union on October 15.
Kos was also asked about the ideas for the exchange of territories between Kosovo and Serbia, which, according to the deputy who asked the question, could be back on the table after the victory of Donald Trump in the American presidential elections.
“As for the exchange of territory, no. No. The European Commission and I, if confirmed, will not follow these trends”, she said.
Kos emphasized that during her mandate, if she is appointed, she will insist that the EU also keep its promises to the countries in the enlargement process.
However, it is not clear if Kos will be appointed, since, according to Radio Free Europe’s sources in the EP, it is believed that she may be one of the candidates who may be voted not to be appointed Commissioner for Enlargement.
She was nominated for the post in September by European Commission president-elect Ursula von der Leyen.
If confirmed, Kos will replace Oliver Varhely in this position. Kosovo has also been asked about its possible role in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.
She expressed willingness to work with Kaja Kallas, who is expected to be confirmed in the position of representative for EU foreign policy, and to take over the mediation of the dialogue between the two neighboring countries.
