German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urges EU accession for Western Balkans

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for more decisive action to accelerate the accession of Western Balkan nations to the European Union. Speaking at a summit in Montenegro, Merz warned that the region has become a geopolitical arena where major powers compete for influence.

Merz emphasized that making the path to EU membership irreversible is in the collective interest of the region to ensure stability. He cited Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine as a primary reason for the urgency of this task.

Experts note that delays in the EU integration process have allowed Russia and China to expand their presence. China has been attracting regional interest through loans for large-scale infrastructure projects, such as highways and railways, though the terms of these loans are not always as favorable as they initially appear.

Currently, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia are awaiting EU membership. Within the region, Serbia maintains close ties with Russia and has not joined EU sanctions against Moscow. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik continues to deepen internal divisions with Russian support.