EU must be ready and able to expand, Merz says at summit with Balkan leaders
Merz backed incentives including observer status and faster market access as France and Germany sought to speed reforms in six candidate countries.
- On Friday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged the European Union to accelerate Western Balkan accession during a summit in Tivat, Montenegro, declaring the region "belongs within the European Union's future."
- Geopolitical concerns drove France and Germany to propose a "gradual integration" plan aimed at countering influence from Russia and China while injecting fresh "momentum" into the long-stalled accession process.
- Proposed incentives include observer status in EU bodies and earlier single-market access, partially designed to compensate for preferential treatment afforded to Ukraine as it pursues membership.
- Montenegro, with around 80% public support, emerges as the frontrunner aiming for 2028 membership; President Jakov Milatovic acknowledged the "task we must complete" remains technically challenging.
- Warning there would be "no more excuses" for the bloc's 13-year freeze, Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen demanded the enlargement process become "faster and more credible.
18 Articles
18 Articles
The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany announced his intention to integrate the countries of the Western Balkans into the EU.
Will the EU soon be significantly larger? According to the will of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the six Western Balkan states should soon join – including Russia-friendly Serbia. Merz also comments on Selenskyj's recent advance in the Ukraine war.
Merz Calls for Faster EU Expansion as Western Balkan Leaders Meet
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged the European Union to show that it is both willing and able to admit new members, as EU leaders met with Western Balkan counterparts seeking to join the bloc. Merz made the comments at a summit in the Montenegrin coastal town of Tivat on June 5, where leaders discussed the future of EU enlargement amid renewed geopolitical pressure from Russia’s war in Ukraine and growing competition for influence in so…
13 years after Croatia, the moment is ripe for one or two new members in the very near future. However, the idea of gradual accessions causes irritation. Does the new hurdles or accelerated benefits for the citizens?
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
