Johan Wadephol, the German Foreign Minister, on Thursday in Budva, Montenegro, called on EU countries to fulfill their expansion promises to the Western Balkans and warned that the credibility of this bloc and its influence in the region are at risk.
Crises in the EU Expansion Process
Wadephol said at a news conference after meeting with representatives of Western Balkan countries, "We are at a crossroads in the EU expansion process." This meeting is part of the Berlin Process, where EU and Western Balkan countries discuss economic integration and infrastructure as well as reconciliation among Balkan countries.
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The German Foreign Minister emphasized that the EU announced at a summit in Thessaloniki in 2003 that the Western Balkans should join this bloc. In a critical assessment of Germany's efforts, he stated that Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor, initiated the Berlin Process 11 years later, in 2014, to expedite this process, but now, 12 years later, no success has been achieved.
Existing Challenges in the Region
Wadephol stated, "We have not fulfilled our promises" and added, "I truly urge everyone to show them that the Thessaloniki promise was real, that we are credible, and Europe is reliable." He also referred to "geopolitical competitors and adversaries" that are competing for influence in the region with the EU, indirectly referring to Russia and China.
On Tuesday, Savo Minić, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska, and his successor Milorad Dodik, visited Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, in Moscow, ahead of the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina that are taking place on Sunday.
The Austrian Foreign Minister also raised a similar warning, stating, "The EU must understand that time is passing. And time is passing quickly on a global scale. We can no longer be engulfed in bureaucratic and so far technocratic processes." Beate Meinl-Reisinger expressed this in an interview.
She added, "If we allow even a millimeter, other foreign powers will quickly enter and take advantage of this situation." Montenegro is at the forefront of EU expansion and hopes to join as the 28th member of this bloc in 2028.
Marta Kos, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, praised the reform efforts of this country, stating that out of 33 accession chapters to the union, 18 chapters have been closed and "several more" are expected to be closed this month.
She said, "There is a real chance that Montenegro will conclude negotiations by the end of this year or early next year," although its approval may take another one to two years.
Ern Ibrahimovic, the Foreign Minister of Montenegro, stated in talks with reporters that his government has made many reforms and added that his citizens should now be able to benefit from EU membership. He said, "To be honest, we are now deserving of acceptance."
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