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The EU is exposed to a big test in the Balkans, and one of the hot topics is the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Joseph Borrell told the Financial Times. He added that only the EU can stabilize the Balkans.
Spain’s former foreign minister said the Balkans are a “powder keg” and that the EU must help prevent it from exploding, to enhance regional security and fulfill the ambition to be a credible global foreign policy force.
“If we don’t stabilize the Balkans, it will be very difficult for the Union to be considered a geopolitical force. Because no one else will, except the Europeans,” Borel said.
He assessed that the EU’s neighborhood is “on fire”, with crises spreading from Belarus to the eastern Mediterranean and demanding an urgent unified response from member states.
“In the last 10 months, our neighborhood has been engulfed in flames, from Libya to Belarus. Everything has become much worse than expected,” Borel warned.
His comments come as EU countries consider imposing sanctions for post-election unrest in Belarus and Turkey’s attempts to conquer the gas-rich waters of the eastern Mediterranean.
EU leaders will also hold a video summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday, which is likely to highlight tensions in the Union’s efforts to obtain economic relief from Beijing, while condemning its actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Financial times.
Borrell also announced that EU foreign ministers are expected to agree to sanctions against Belarusian officials on September 21 for stealing last month’s presidential elections and a brutal confrontation with political opponents, during demonstrations that broke out after the elections. . He added that the inclusion of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in the list of 40 names against which sanctions will be imposed will also be considered. Since 2016, the EU has imposed sanctions on 170 people from Belarus, including Lukashenko.
In the interview, he also referred to the poisoning of Russian opposition newcomer Alexei Navalny, stating that the Union must respond with sanctions, if there is “clear evidence” that certain officials are involved.
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