The Western Balkan countries deserve strong support on their path towards membership in the European Union, said the German Foreign Minister on March 4, highlighting the risk posed by Moscow to the region’s stability.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that the EU cannot afford what she termed as “gray zones” of security.
“We cannot allow ourselves to have gray zones all over Europe, and we must do everything we can together to close the gaps that Russia could use in its destabilization, disinformation, and interference policy,” she said before embarking on a visit to Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“This includes support for the Western Balkan states in strengthening their democratic institutions, improving their sustainability, and providing economic opportunities for people,” added the German foreign minister.
Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, and North Macedonia, are part of the Western Balkans.
The European Union has called on these states to carry out the necessary reforms for integration into the European bloc.
Brussels has stated that Montenegro has made the most progress in the accession process so far, but the pace is slow.
Podgorica started accession negotiations in 2012. However, even in the most ambitious scenario, the EU is not expected to accept new members until the end of the decade.
In December 2022, Bosnia and Herzegovina obtained candidate status for the EU, but accession negotiations have not yet begun. Among the states in the region, Kosovo remains the last in European integration, as it is the only one that has not yet obtained candidate status.
“There is a geopolitical need, especially in light of Russia’s brutal imperialism, for us to do everything we can to support the six countries in the region on their path towards EU membership,” Baerbock said.
During her stay in Podgorica, Baerbock will meet with Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić, Foreign Minister Fillip Ivanović, and President Jakov Milatović.
Later on Monday, in Sarajevo, Baerbock will meet with members of the three-member Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as with the High Representative, Christian Schmidt, who oversees peace in the country.
