Commenting ahead of the European Council summit on 14-15 December and the EU-Western Balkans Summit on 13 December, ALDE Party Co-Presidents Ilhan Kyuchyuk and Timmy Dooley said:

“The outcomes of the decisions taken by European leaders have the potential to change the course of European history for the better, or for the worse. We call on European leaders to be on the right side of history and show leadership by delivering positive decisions regarding the financial facility to support Ukraine and opening EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and also progressing on the applications of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia. 

"We hope also that Romania and Bulgaria will be permitted to finally enter the Schengen Area full. Both countries have met all legal and operational conditions and criteria for accession for many years now, as affirmed by the European Parliament and by the European Commission through the conclusion of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM). 

"These latest dances by the leaders of Austria and Hungary have demonstrated the need to abolish the individual vetoes in the European Council so that such important decisions that affect the progress of Europe can no longer be blocked by one Head of State for domestic political reasons. 

"In these increasingly geopolitical times, the EU absolutely has to demonstrate the political willingness to bring the Western Balkans closer to the EU and working together with the aspirant countries help bring concrete benefits to their citizens during the enlargement process. 

"In achieving these objectives, leaders can count on the support of the ALDE Party and its members.”