(ANSA) - BELGRADE, MAY 13 - Accelerate candidate countries' integration into the European Union by providing gradual and systematic access to key sectors of the single market, based on merit and respect for the rule of law. This is the proposal contained in a joint non-paper presented by Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia at the "Friends of the Balkans" group meeting in Bratislava yesterday. The document suggests "systematic sectoral integration" as a "intermediate step towards full integration" to overcome "reform fatigue." The mechanism will be activated "when a candidate country demonstrates a high level of alignment with the acquis communautaire and solid and credible implementation of the rule of law." Green corridors, energy markets, the digital single market, transportation, critical raw materials, and youth mobility programmes are all priority areas. (ANSA).