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- October 13, 202618°
- BIST10012,151-0.94%
- USD49.220.00%
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- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,374-0.47%
- October 13, 202618°
EU to Launch Gradual Integration Process for Western Balkans
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that the EU will initiate a gradual integration process for six Western Balkan countries. France and Germany propose a new membership approach...
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced plans for the European Union to start a gradual integration process for six Western Balkan countries awaiting membership. Speaking after the EU-Western Balkans Summit held in Tivat, Merz said they sent a clear message to the countries in the region.
Merz emphasized that the European Union wants these countries and aims to see them become members in the near future. This statement has given new political momentum to the long-standing membership process of the Western Balkans.
Which countries stood out at the summit?
The summit in the coastal city of Tivat, Montenegro, hosted numerous European leaders including Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Montenegro is among the countries aiming for membership.
The countries lined up for EU membership include Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Ukraine and Moldova have also applied for membership.
Although Brussels has long stated that the entire Western Balkans will be accepted together, the process is progressing differently from country to country. Montenegro and Albania stand out as countries advancing more quickly in necessary reforms compared to other candidates.
France and Germany propose "gradual integration"
Before the summit, Macron said that France and Germany proposed a strengthened gradual integration process. According to this model, a country that aligns with EU rules and criteria could participate earlier in certain formats, such as some EU meetings.
Merz stressed the need to make the enlargement process faster and more credible. According to him, the fact that no new members have been admitted in the last 13 years shows that the shortcoming lies not only with candidate countries but also within the European Union itself.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also stated on her way to the summit that the enlargement process needs to be accelerated. Von der Leyen called for the process to be made more reliable.
Why is enlargement back on the agenda?
Following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the EU's interest in enlargement has increased again. With the war, both Ukraine and Moldova joined the queue for membership alongside the Western Balkan candidates.
Macron said enlargement is geopolitically important because the region holds a critical position for Europe's independence in terms of energy, security, and migration routes. This assessment has added a strategic dimension to the EU's enlargement policy.
Why has support declined in the Balkans?
Support for membership has declined in some countries that have held candidate status for a long time. In particular, public support for EU membership in Serbia remains below 50%.
Serbia's close ties with Russia deepen regional debates. In contrast, Montenegro's progress in reforms makes it one of the strongest candidates for first membership.
One of the most discussed topics in the EU enlargement dossier in the coming period will be the extent to which candidate countries will be included in rights and mechanisms without waiting for full membership.
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