Seven countries seek Serbia, Montenegro's EU membership, do not mention Kosovo

Seven European Union member states called on the bloc to speed up Montenegro and Serbia's accession, saying failure to integrate the Western Balkans could pose a threat to the security of the entire region.

The foreign ministers and deputy ministers of the Visegrad Group countries -- Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic -- as well as those of Austria, Slovenia and Croatia met in Budapest to discuss issues such as migration and situation in the Western Balkans and Ukraine.

“If we do not accelerate the European integration process, we will face serious security challenges throughout the Central European region”, said Hungary's Foreign Minister, Peter Sziyjarto.

Szijjarto said the EU should speed up accession talks with Montenegro and Serbia and open negotiations with other Western Balkan countries.

Albania and Macedonia are candidate countries for EU membership, but have not yet started accession talks, while Bosnia and Kosovo still do not have candidate status.

Slovenian Foreign Minister Carl Erjavec said the Western Balkan countries should receive assistance in implementing reforms needed to qualify for EU membership.

The situation in the Western Balkans is dark, not sustainable... It is necessary to ensure that there is dialogue for strengthening stability”, Erjavec said.

Tensions remain high between Kosovo and Serbia, while Macedonia and Bosnia face ethnic divisions.