News in English     | 11.01.2018. 12:13 |

Ashdown: We need a special envoy for the Western Balkans

FENA Internet

SARAJEVO, January 11 (FENA) - Lord Paddy Ashdown, former High Representative and a member of the House of Lords in the British Parliament, congratulated the Foreign Affairs Committee of this House for a job well-done, which was rounded up with a report with recommendations on how Britain should behave in the Balkans after the country leaves the European Union, ‘Dnevni Avaz’ reports today.

“It is a good report and I for the most part agree with its recommendations. I wish that they put more focus on the role of the United States and that Britain should get more strongly engaged to ensure that the EU firmly insists on the principles which it is based on. These principles must be absolutely respected and implemented in the Balkans so that the region can be an integral part of the EU. The report draws attention to the Balkans and suggests what should be done in the region that has been neglected by the EU, and my country. It is up to the British government to decide what to do in the Balkans. These are just good recommendations that the Committee has set forth,” said Ashdown.

He says that he is worried, however, that he still does not see the EU's readiness to truly deal with the Balkans.

“The truth is that more and more of the institutions in Brussels are talking about the Balkans, which is a good thing. But, long time ago, I learned to judge people by their deeds, not words, the deeds, those true ones, that will bring improvement of the situation in the Balkans, and they are still missing.

I have always stressed that the Balkans needs a coordinated Western policy. The EU is an attractive goal. The West therefore has to insist that membership in this prestigious club can be achieved only if European standards are fully accepted and implemented. We need a transatlantic alliance and action. The question is whether Washington and Brussels are ready for such a move,” Ashdown said in an interview with Dnevni avaz.

Asked if this meant that we need an envoy for the Western Balkans in order to implement such a policy, he answered affirmatively.

(FENA) S. R.

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