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German Chancellor urges speed in Western Balkans’ rapprochement with the EU

by AI | 14.Oct 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia – the six states of the Western Balkans have been waiting for years to be admitted to the EU. Now, a summit is taking place in Berlin where new impulses are to be set.

Berlin: Chancellor Olaf Scholz (front center) stands at the family photo during the Western Balkans Summit at the Chancellery. The conference at the level of heads of state and government takes place within the framework of the so-called Berlin Process. The format, founded in 2014, aims to deepen regional integration in and with the Western Balkan states and to bring them closer to the EU. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa

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Berlin – Chancellor Olaf Scholz is pushing for more speed in the «Berlin Process», which has been ongoing for ten years, to bring the six Western Balkan states closer to the EU. «I hope that it will not take another ten years before all six states have finally become EU members,» said the politician at the Chancellery in Berlin. Scholz appeared together with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the press on the sidelines of the so-called Western Balkans Summit.

The chancellor made it clear in his statement that the states could only join the European Union together. When asked, he said that they wanted to develop a common perspective for all, but there would be countries that would very quickly fulfill all conditions, «we will not stop them then (…), but everyone must know that they will be in a common future and that they cannot block each other (…).»

Conflicts of the past and nationalist tendencies

Conflicts of the past still complicate cooperation today, said Scholz. He criticized that the dialogue towards normalization between Serbia and Kosovo was not proceeding satisfactorily. «I insist that both partners fully implement their commitments.» In other countries, nationalist, divisive rhetoric must also be observed. This is a danger to growing together and living together in peace and prosperity.

The EU had promised the six Western Balkan states of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia entry into the EU in 2003. In the process, however, they are at different stages. The frustration of the Balkan states is sometimes great – especially since Ukraine and Moldova were made candidates for accession at record speed following the Russian war of aggression.

As concrete successes of the «Berlin Process» over the past ten years, the German chancellor mentioned several agreements to improve mobility between the six countries, the reduction of roaming charges, student exchanges, and a regional climate partnership to promote the use of renewable energies. The «Berlin Process» was initiated in 2014 under the then German Chancellor Angela Merkel. This type of summit is taking place for the 10th time this year. (October 14)

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