8 minutes agoBackpack: Security and stability in the Western Balkans vital to the EU
Periskopi(2 years ago)
(2 years ago)The Western Balkan states deserve strong support in their journey towards membership in the European Union, the German top diplomat said on March 4th, noting the risk Moscow poses for regional stability. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the EU cannot afford what it termed “zone [...]
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the EU cannot afford what she named the “grey” area of security.
“We cannot allow ourselves to have all over Europe grey zones and we must do everything we can together to close the wings that Russia can use in its policy of destabilising, dezinformation and intervention”, she said before leaving for a visit to Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“This includes supporting Western Balkan states in strengthening their democratic institutions, improving their sustainability and providing economic opportunities for people”, the German top diplomat added.
Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with Kosovo, Albania, Serbia and Northern Macedonia, are part of the Western Balkans.
The European Union has called on these states to carry out reforms needed for integration into the European bloc.
Brussels has said Montenegro has so far scored mostly progress in the membership process, but the pace is slow.
Podgorica has started membership negotiations in 2012. But even in the most ambitious scenario, the EU is not expected to accept new members by the end of the decade.
In December 2022, Bosnia and Herzegovina received EU candidate status, but negotiations for membership have not yet begun. Of the countries of the region, Kosovo remains the last in European integration, as it is the only one that still does not have candidate status.
The geopolitical need, especially in light of Russia's brutal imperialism, has been made so that we can do everything we can to support the six countries in the region on their way to EU membership”, Baerbock said.
During his stay in Podgorica, Baerbock will meet with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milloko Spajic, Foreign Minister Fillip Ivanovic, and President James Milatovic.
Later Monday, in Sarajevo Baerbox will meet with members of Bosnia and Herzegovina's tripartite presidency, but also with top international representative Christian Schmidt, who oversees peace in this state. /Rel
