Erdogan criticises EU for non-integration of the Balkans, Djukanovqi for non-liberalisation of visas with Kosovo

He made these comments at the Balkan summit held in Sarajevo, where leaders demonstrated their deep disappointment with the failure to keep promises by the EU to open membership talks with Northern Macedonia and Albania, which was rejected by the northern EU states.

Erdogan and other speakers at the Balkan summit criticised the EU for its reluctance in relation to the bloc's enlargement.

The last “we have seen that some populist Myopian circles have blocked the EU enlargement policy. Negative trends towards division and discrimination have spread across the continent and jeopardised not only internal peace within the EU, but ... also hope and potential for the Balkan region”, the Turkish president has said, Reuters.

The EU's appetite for further expansion has been marred by anti-emigration among voters and by increasing criticism of the bloc's system of only complex decisions.

France and the Netherlands, with Denmark's support, also require other conditions such as more reforms to fight corruption and organised crime in Albania and Macedonia.

Turkey's own bid for EU membership, launched in 2004, has stalled for years, as EU officials cite Ankara's disregard for human rights and civil liberties under Erdogan's power. Some EU leaders want the talks abandoned. Erdogan has blamed prejudice against Muslims on this unprecedented course, broadcasting Koha.net.

Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic called on leaders of other Western Balkan countries to come up with a clear and common approach regarding expectations for EU reports.

“We are concerned about the enlargement policy, which is delayed and is becoming blurry”, Djukanovi said, adding that other countries in the region have also accepted discouraging signals regarding the EU membership process.

He said the EU has failed to lift visa requirements for Kosovo citizens or approve the opening of the final chapter of Montenegro's membership process while delaying approval of candidate status for Bosnia.

“I believe that the issue of a real enlargement perspective will have to be opened very quickly if we, Western Balkan countries and the EU, are privileged partners or are returning to the position of neighbours who (just) share sorrows about the future of our common continent”, he said.

Erdogan also honoured the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, putting flowers in trucks carrying the 33rd of the 8 thousand Muslim men and boys slaughtered by Bosnian Serb forces. Mortore remains, which were destroyed by mass cemetery, will be re-crowned at a ceremony on 11 July, on the anniversary of the massacre.