EU right to boost Balkan links, but must not let war criminals off the hook

3.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 24th Oct 2007

The European Parliament has given a positive signal to the Western Balkan countries by adopting a package of visa facilitation agreements which will give genuine travellers from the Balkans the right to travel more easily to Europe. Those countries will however have to take back illegal immigrants who came to the EU through their territory.

MEPs are also set to approve a report which calls for signature of an association agreement between the EU and Serbia before the end of 2007 - as long as Serbia fully cooperates with the Hague war crimes tribunal.

Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat European Justice Spokeswoman, who has taken a strong interest in the Balkans for a decade, said:

"The European Union is putting into practice its strong commitment to eventual EU entry for the Western Balkan countries. The region must be both pressed and motivated to make the changes necessary for a stable future in Europe.

"So there must be no association agreement with Serbia until there is full cooperation by Belgrade with the ICTY. The EU cannot afford to waive its conditionality at this crucial juncture. Turning a blind eye to war criminals may suit modern-day realpolitik, but it will not contribute to peace or regional stability.

"Cooperation means the arrest and transfer of all four remaining indictees including Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadžic. Since the new Serbian government has arrested the other two of the remaining six most wanted war criminals, it is indeed possible to locate and arrest such men."