Paolo Gentiloni makes his prediction about the EU: what will happen to the Union

«If we look at the prospects for next year, we could return to some level of growth. Either way, we avoided recession. But we know that growth is losing momentum. Next Wednesday I will present the Commission’s economic forecasts. And, given the strong commercial investments and financial ties we share, the growth dynamics in the EU will also influence the rest of Central-Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.” This was said by EU Commissioner for the Economy, Paolo Gentiloni, speaking at the Vienna Economic Forum.

Gentiloni then addressed the issue of expanding membership of the European Union. «I think that history and geopolitics have always been the basis of what we call enlargement, that is, the entry of other candidates into the European Union. This was the case after the fall of the Soviet Union. This is what happened after the collapse of the former Yugoslavia. And this is the case now. Therefore, I think we should not be surprised that Ukraine, that the invasion of Ukraine, of Maidan, of people with European flags, not only on Maidan, but also in other countries, is giving new impetus to this process. ” EU Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni said this, speaking at the Vienna Economic Forum. «My appeal is for you to understand that this new impulse represents an opportunity for the Western Balkans and is an opportunity to slowly overcome the difficulties and the vetoes, the slowness that we have had to face in recent years. I know it is not easy, but I think so, there is certainly a geopolitical impulse. This impulse will influence the entire enlargement process and we must take advantage of this opportunity”, he noted. To unblock the potential of the Balkans, added the former prime minister, “there are two main things: firstly, the attempt to do everything possible for regional economic integration. I remember when I was prime minister we had a meeting about what We call it the Berlin process in Italy. And at that time a conclusion was reached with the Western Balkan partners who decided on a more regional common market.”