to support the recognition by the European Commission that enlargement is in the EU’s very own political, security and economic interest, as a geostrategic investment in peace, stability, security and economic growth in the whole of Europe
to welcome the fact that the EU leaders reaffirmed their unequivocal support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans
to welcome the fact that the European Commission’s proposal for the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III) under the 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework foresees more strategic and dynamic deployment of assistance, focusing on key priorities
to urge the European Commission to further work with the national governments in candidate and potential candidate countries in order to develop specific instruments towards building capacities of local and regional governments in the Western Balkans
to reiterate that effective public administration reforms in the countries of the Western Balkans, including fiscal decentralisation, are essential for improving good local governance, for the empowerment of local and regional governments to deliver quality services to their citizens, for their involvement in regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations, and for achieving ambitious European and global sustainable development and climate change agendas
to offer country-specific recommendations
to stress the role of local and regional governments in the enlargement process
to emphasize the centrality of the rule of law by reiterating that compliance with the Copenhagen criteria must continue to be the key factor for assessing readiness of candidate countries to become EU Member States
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
Supports the recognition by the Commission that enlargement of the EU is a geostrategic investment in peace, stability, security and economic growth
Underlines that European principles of subsidiarity, proportionality, and multilevel governance should equally apply to the process of EU enlargement
Notes with great concern that the proper functioning of democratic institutions, as well as credible progress on rule of law, still remain a key challenge in the area
Welcomes that the proposal for the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III) anticipates greater strategic and dynamic deployment of assistance; invites the Commission to facilitate building the capacities and skills of the LRAs with concrete instruments
Supports the principles of fair and rigorous conditionality, and of "fundamentals first"
Is concerned with the increasing hostility towards civil society, and with shrinking freedom of expression
Is convinced that LRAs can address some of the shortcomings on rule of law and fundamental rights, and act to combat discrimination
Welcomes the historic Prespa agreement reached by North Macedonia and Greece
Fully supports the opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania
Notes with concern that Serbia and Montenegro are yet to act with greater determination in crucial areas, in particular towards depolarisation of the political scene
Reiterates its utmost concern and dismay about the fact that no local council elections have been held since 2008 in the city of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Invites the Council to urgently address visa liberalisation with Kosovo
Notes with regret that Turkey has seen a continued strong deterioration in key human rights, with serious backsliding in the areas of rule of law and fundamental rights
Invites local and regional governments in the EU to further reinforce cooperation with their peers in candidate and potential candidate countries
Invites the European Commission to propose concrete policies, tools and instruments to engage local and regional governments in the Western Balkans
Invites the European Commission to develop a practical tool to support effective capacity-building for local and regional governments in the Western Balkans
Urges the Commission to better include the countries of the Western Balkans, and notably their LRAs, in the future development of the Covenant of Mayors, and other initiatives towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda