Event report

In the cross-border German-Czech-Austrian online citizens dialogue, Kristof Bender, Southeast Europe expert and stellv. President of the European Stability Initiative, MEP Markéta Gregorová and Jörg Wojahn, Head of the European Commission Representation in Germany, to the citizens on the evening of 26 October. For the first time during a citizens’ dialogue, the participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas in small groups and to prepare content for the three participants. For example, the more than 100 participants discussed with the three panelists on issues such as the EU’s willingness to include more countries and the state of the accession negotiations with the Western Balkans. Another question was whether a reform of the EU’s enlargement policy was needed and what it should look like. Citizens also wanted to know why recent Eurobarometer surveys indicate that an additional EU enlargement met with support, especially in the south and east, but was rejected in the north and west. Our media partner, the online youth magazine "treffpunkteuropa.de", reports on his website about the online citizens’ dialogue "Next Stop EU? The Future of EU Enlargement Regarding the Western Balkans, 26 October 2021. Here is a small excerpt: “[The panelists] agreed that a welcome of the Western Balkans would be positive, provided they fulfil the necessary conditions of the accession process on the basis of the so-called "Copenhagen criteria”. In concrete terms, this means economic and social reforms for the candidate countries and the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law. The objective of EU enlargement is therefore political and economic cooperation based on common European values. The panellists agree with Ursula von der Leyen, who at the EU-Western Balkans Summit at the beginning of October strongly supported a European future for the Western Balkans. [...] Markéta Gregorová [...] stressed that from their Czech perspective accession would be beneficial for both the Western Balkans and the EU. However, the EU must clearly define what it actually stands for and what exactly EU membership means. Otherwise, EU enlargement would result in a merger of states with completely different interests and values. Growing nationalism and populism in some Member States are dangerous for the internal cohesion of the EU. This is clear from the current dispute between Poland and the EU, which in principle calls into question the European Union’s ability to act. European principles such as the rule of law must therefore be effectively called upon by the EU. Finally, “we do not want mini-Poland and mini-Hungary in the EU,” emphasises [...] Kristof Bender. Accession to the EU must therefore be well prepared and the candidate countries must make it clear that they are serious about the reform process. Jörg Wojahn is also in favour of this. At the same time, however, he rejects a narrative whereby the EU imposes unwelcome reforms on the candidate countries. On the contrary, he stressed that the conditions for EU membership were not only in the interests of the European Union but also of the Western Balkans. [...] With regard to the accession process, however, Bender warns against a vicious circle: If reforms are not effectively implemented by the candidate countries, the veto of individual EU Member States favours. These blockades are fuelling scepticism on the part of the Balkan countries and the EU accession process, said Bender. The question therefore arises whether the current model of decision-making within the EU is at all effective or whether the claim of unanimity, such as in the context of the accession process, is not much more paralysing the EU. In particular, the right of veto of the Member States can lead to internal instability, as is clear from the current dispute with Poland. Gregorová therefore sees a need for reforms that make European decision-making processes more democratic and transparent. [...] EU enlargement should not be rushed, as all three panellists agree. Therefore, joining the European Single Market would be a possible precursor to full EU membership. As a second step, the candidate countries would then also be committed to the European system of values and justice. In particular, MEP Gregorová is in favour of economic cooperation as a precursor to full accession. At the same time, however, it also stressed the importance of common values — a question that also interested participants. She explains: “The promise of economic prosperity acts like a magnet. But magnets can also repel each other. That is why we need common European values that weld the Community together beyond economic cooperation. The European fundamental values — democracy, respect for human dignity and respect for human rights, equality, freedom and the rule of law — need to return to a stronger focus, says Wojahn. “We Europeans can be proud of our shared values,” he emphasises. [...] But EU membership means not only economic and political cooperation, but also a commitment to European fundamental values and solidarity. The EU as a future perspective has stabilised the Balkan countries since the end of the Yugoslavia wars, says Bender. However, the upsurge of nationalist narratives increasingly calls this peace into question. It is precisely here that the EU can have a positive impact by creating future prospects through a credible offer of accession. Through orderly accession, the European Union can thus strengthen peace and democracy in the region." The online Citizens’ Dialogue was moderated by Julian Plottka, research assistant at the Jean Monnet Chair of European Politics at the University of Passau. The event took place in cooperation with the Young European Federalists (JEF) Passau, the JEF Czech Republic, the Jean Monnet Chair of European Politics at the University of Passau and the District Association of Lower Bavaria of the European Union. The event is part of the citizens’ dialogue series “Europe — We Must Talk!” and was promoted as a cross-border project by the Federal Foreign Office and supported by the Press and Information Office of the Federal Government.