Foreign Secretary welcomes EU decisions on Western Balkans
Foreign Secretary William Hague: "We continue to be strong supporters of enlargement in the Western Balkans once the conditions are met."
Foreign Secretary, William Hague said
“The UK strongly supports the decision to bring the Western Balkans closer to the European Union.
“The signing of the Croatian accession treaty today is an historic moment. We warmly welcome Croatia to the EU, and look forward to working with Croatia both in their capacity as an active observer to the EU and as a full member after they accede on 1 July 2013.
“I welcome the European Council’s recognition of the important progress made by Serbia this year. I urge Serbia energetically to continue on this path and take early steps to further normalise relations with Kosovo. I welcome the request to the Council to decide by February if Serbia has sufficiently cemented progress on Kosovo to be granted Candidacy. We continue to be strong supporters of enlargement in the Western Balkans once the conditions are met.
“I also welcome the recognition given to Montenegro’s progress, and the intention to open accession negotiations with Montenegro in June 2012.”