German Chancellor Urges EU to Open Doors to the Balkans

The European Union must prove it is ready to accept new members, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said at a summit of EU and Western Balkan leaders in the Montenegrin city of Tivat, where future enlargement dominated the agenda.

Merz stressed that the Western Balkans belong to the EU's future and that Brussels must demonstrate the political will to press ahead with enlargement. He noted that the bloc has not admitted a new member in 13 years, a fact he said reflects shortcomings on the EU's own part.

The enlargement debate has gained fresh urgency since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with European officials arguing that admitting new members would strengthen regional stability and limit the influence of outside powers in the EU's neighbourhood.

Six Western Balkan countries are seeking membership: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Kosovo. Montenegro is the furthest along in the accession process and aims to join by 2028, though it still faces significant challenges in tackling corruption and reforming its judiciary.

Germany and France have proposed giving candidate countries greater access to EU programs and the single market ahead of full accession. Merz has also floated the idea of "associate member" status for Ukraine as a transitional step towards full membership.

(reuters, max)