(ANSA) - BRUXELLES - The EU enlargement strategy to the Western Balkans will be launched on Tuesday at the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg. The document is entitled 'A credible prospect for enlargement to the Western Balkans' and shows the way ahead for the six countries to make irreversible progress on the road to the EU by 2025.

The EU's doors "are open" and the access to the EU is "based on merit", European source pointed out. This is a "historic opportunity and we want all countries to exploit it", and the EU commitment concerns the whole region, not only the two frontrunners Serbia and Montenegro, already engaged in the negotiations with the EU.

The strategy involves also Kosovo, for which the normalization of relations with Belgrade by 2019 is prior; Bosnia-Herzegovina, that needs a stronger "political will"; the former Republic of Yugoslavia of Macedonia, engaged in negotiations with Athens to solve the name dispute; and Albania, where the justice reform is at the top of the agenda.

Following the publication of the strategy, EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn will go to Belgrade and Podgorica to reaffirm the European support to the region. One week ago, the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani went to Belgrade, as well. The President of the EU Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, is also expected to visit the region at the end of February.

2018 is a "key" for the Western Balkans: an EU enlargement package is expected to be presented in April: Fyrom and Albania could then grab the chance and start the negotiations. On 17th May in Sofia, there will be a summit between the EU and the leaders of the six countries. (ANSA).