The integration of the two Orthodox countries of the Western Balkans, Serbia and Montenegro, into the European Union was requested by the MEP of the Left and Coordinator of the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, Nikolas Faradouris, today during the Plenary session in Strasbourg.

As he characteristically said: “There are countries that are par excellence European. Countries in the heart of Europe that have been asking for 10 years to join our European family. The Western Balkans is more Europe than any other corner of the European continent. And yet the European Union’s priorities have been elsewhere in recent years.”

Addressing the MEPs and members of the European Commission, he emphasized that “a strong message of support, acceptance and integration is urgently needed in countries such as Montenegro and Serbia that have advanced the convergence process according to the Copenhagen criteria”.

“I am asking for the integration of Montenegro and Serbia into the European Union. If not these countries, which ones? If not now, when? If not in the arms of Europe, then in whose arms and influence?” stressed the Greek MEP.

“The accession of Montenegro and Serbia to the European Union sends a strong message to all the countries of the Western Balkans to intensify their efforts, not to be disappointed, to modernize their legislation and to respect human rights and the rule of law, and finally to become equal members of of our European family”, concluded Nikolas Farandouris.