German analyst: Macroni is blocking visa liberalisation for Kosovo, EU enlargement

The European Union has once again refused to set a date for enlargement with Western Balkan countries.

But in a joint statement following the EU-Balkans summit in Brdo, Slovenia, it is said that one day these countries will be admitted to the European Union.

German expert for the Western Balkans Bodo Weber for this stalled Balkan integration into the EU is blaming France's President Emmanuel Macron.

There are serious disagreements between member states for the future of enlargement. French President Macron is serious against further European Union enlargement but does not say it out loud. It is even affecting other states to block further EU enlargement. The new German government will have a difficult challenge with Macroni, as if an agreement is not found with Paris to unblock EU enlargement with Albania and Northern Macedonia, enlargement will eventually be dead for next year”, said per RTV Dukagjin Weber.

The expert for the Western Balkans became guilty of Macronin even the lack of visa liberalisation for Kosovo. However, he says that Kosovo in this case has fallen victim to the refugee crisis during 2015-2016, Telegrafi notes.

While Professor of Oxford University Richard Capicul says the fatigue the EU is showing from enlargement can produce consequences for the Balkan region.

“The EU has not yet given any date for enlargement, and this could raise many questions in people's minds about how serious the European Union is about integration. Leaders want any bilateral disputes to be resolved before EU membership. The danger is that the EU enlargement game can have consequences on the Western Balkan countries and that other players, particularly Russia and China, will benefit from the situation to extend their influence to the region”, said Capov.

Both Weber and Kaplan suspect visa liberalisation for Kosovo will occur because of the reluctance of some countries.