EU must persevere in sanctions against Russia, stand with Ukraine

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Tuesday attended the Warsaw Security Forum panels on the EU’s response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the future of enlargement onto the Western Balkans.
 
At a panel with his German and Czech counterparts, Annalena Baerbock and Jan Lipavsky, as well as Polish Minister for Europe Konrad Szymanski, Grlić Radman said that the Russian aggression against Ukraine brought the EU member states even closer together, underscoring that it was important to maintain the current level of solidarity with Ukraine. “We must persevere in the sanctions and continue to support and help Ukraine,” he said, highlighting the additional challenges of food security, energy supply and countering Russia’s war narrative.
 
Speaking about EU enlargement, the minister said that the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania was a testament to the EU’s clear support for the membership prospects of the Western Balkans. “The launching of talks with these two countries removed all doubts about the new stalemate in the enlargement process. It is a strong indicator to other countries in the region that reforms pay off and that efforts yield results,” he said.
 
In addition, Grlić Radman underlined that the EU should take a more active role in dealing with the region’s key issues such as stabilisation of the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the normalisation of Serbia-Kosovo relations.
 
“The future membership of the Western Balkan countries is in the EU’s political, security and economic interest. Enlargement has always augmented the European project and it is necessary to carry on with more determination, Grlić Radman said. At the same time, the Western Balkan countries should do their best to make our decisions easier. This means implementing the necessary reforms, primarily in key areas such as the rule of law, justice, combating corruption and organized crime, as well as security and the democratization of institutions,” the minister emphasized.
 
Answering questions about the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Grlić Radman reiterated that High Representative Christian Schmidt’s decision was timely and necessary, and that it would contribute to the stability and better functioning of BiH institutions.

Press releases