EU-Beitritt: Merz sagt Westbalkan-Staaten persönliche Unterstützung zu

Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz has strongly advocated for the rapid preparation of the Western Balkan countries for entry into the European Union. Speaking at a summit with the leaders of six Balkan nations in Montenegro, the CDU politician expressed his desire for their accession to the EU. He assured them that "they can rely on Germany and my personal support."

At the same time, Merz called on the countries to intensify their reforms, stating that "while we have made our contribution as the EU, you must also make your contribution. Reform and political will must come from you." The majority of the Western Balkan countries—Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—have been waiting for several years for EU accession.

Currently, Montenegro is closest to joining, with negotiations expected to be concluded within the next year. The summit, held in a luxury villa on the Adriatic, is part of the Berlin Process initiated in 2014 by then-Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) to promote the EU approach of the six states. At the conference, Germany and France launched a new initiative in June to accelerate the accession process.

In a joint position paper, the two countries called for preliminary integration steps prior to full membership to incentivize reforms. Fulfilling certain accession criteria would be rewarded with privileged access to the EU single market or the dispatch of observers to EU institutions.