The European Union must be reasonable and must not make promises that it cannot deliver, the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz said in an interview for Radio Free Europe. According to the official, the EU goes through a difficult period given the migrant crisis and not only, IPN reports.
“The financial and social problems, such as the lack of jobs, also had an impact on the Union’s welfare. Maybe for this reason, we cannot assume in the most serious way the role of ‘active player’ that we can play in the region,” stated Martin Schulz. He noted that Russia, in particular, profits from this situation. As regards the EU’s skepticism about a possible extension, Martin Schulz admitted that a particular tiredness of this subject is felt in the EU.
According to the President of the European Parliament, it is not right to believe that only the entry into the EU can solve the problems faced by the Eastern Partnership countries. The solution is to gradually become part of the EU, by liberalizing the visa regime or the access to a safe economic market.
“We speak about 28 member states and need the consent of each one for any enlargement. I know at least three countries that need a referendum to endorse a possible entry. We must also not make promises that we cannot honor. I think it is wiser to develop the relations with the countries involved in the European Neighborhood Policy rather than to promise the accession,” stated Martin Schulz.
The official noted that he does not believe in the idea of a fast entry and this is why he would be very prudent with such promises. “Imagine that we promise the accession to a state, but do not keep our word because, for example, one of the member states opposes this! We do not want such a situation,” he explained.
Martin Schulz said that the case of Ukraine is the most recent example showing the Europeans’ skepticism about the enlargement of the EU. The Netherlands, for example, will ask its people if the Association Agreement signed by the European Union with Ukraine should be ratified in a referendum in April, while polls suggest that most of the people are against.
