Rupel proposes special EU clause for Balkan states

Dimitrij Rupel says west Balkan nations should sign a deal on joining the EU not to veto other states’ entry. The Slovenian STA agency reports that the Slovenian foreign minister said this at a special conference, speaking of the west Balkans, where he also stressed that keeping the path open to European integration for these countries was in the interests of stability, freedom and security in Europe. Rupel proposes special EU clause for Balkan states Outlining his idea, Rupel said that it was justified by “the rhetoric and practice of exclusivity that we’ve recently heard,” and repeated that the EU was the only alternative in the west Balkans. Speaking in particular about Serbia, he said that “the dilemmas that appear in the media periodically are wrong: if we have to choose between the EU and Kosovo, we’ll choose Kosovo.” The Slovenian foreign minister said that the EU had to help Serbia, which meant giving its citizens, particularly the young, the opportunity to travel more easily. “How will Serbia’s youth vote responsibly at elections, if they have still not traveled in the Union?” wondered Rupel. Dimitrij Rupel (Beta, archive)

Rupel proposes special EU clause for Balkan states

Outlining his idea, Rupel said that it was justified by “the rhetoric and practice of exclusivity that we’ve recently heard,” and repeated that the EU was the only alternative in the west Balkans.

Speaking in particular about Serbia, he said that “the dilemmas that appear in the media periodically are wrong: if we have to choose between the EU and Kosovo, we’ll choose Kosovo.”

The Slovenian foreign minister said that the EU had to help Serbia, which meant giving its citizens, particularly the young, the opportunity to travel more easily.

“How will Serbia’s youth vote responsibly at elections, if they have still not traveled in the Union?” wondered Rupel.