The European Union neglected the Western Balkans in recent years and now, in light of the war in Ukraine, the EU should "rethink" how the path towards EU membership for aspiring countries should be built, former European Parliament Member, Doris Pack, told N1.

“What we in the last years didn’t do is now the problem. We were not really engaged in the Western Balkans. We were not outspoken enough,” she said, noting the although reports on the situation in regional countries were presented each year, the EU did not push local political leaders to do what is necessary.

Pack said, however, that it seems such a policy is still ongoing in regard to the Western Balkans, although this is not what is needed.

She argued that what the region truly needs is politicians who are truly committed to EU integration and willing to do what must be done in order to reach that goal, instead of “only speaking” about it.

She noted that now Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova are also seeking EU membership.

“I think this brings us now into new situation now. The war in Ukraine cannot allow us to say no to Ukraine, or even to Moldova, Georgia. So I think we have to rethink how the way to the European Union should be built, as the entire process as it has been in the past few years “didn’t mean anything” for citizens or politicians in countries aspiring to join the EU.

Pack also commented on many other ongoing issues in region. The entire interview, in English, can be seen in the video above.