Macron and Merz champion EU enlargement for Western Balkans

At the EU‑Western Balkans summit in Tivat, Montenegro, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz presented a joint proposal for a stepped accession process. The plan would reward candidate countries that adopt EU law in specific areas with incremental access to the single market and other EU benefits, aiming to speed up the integration of the six Western Balkan aspirants – Albania, Bosnia‑Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. Macron said, “We are here to support Montenegro and its authorities on the path toward the European Union,” while Merz stressed that “the EU must show it is willing and ready to enlarge.” They highlighted Montenegro as the most advanced candidate and called for a merit‑based, simplified enlargement model after a 13‑year hiatus of new members. The proposal will be discussed by EU leaders and the Balkan countries.

The leaders also referenced a separate German non‑paper suggesting an associate‑membership track for Ukraine, prompting criticism from Kyiv but underscoring the broader debate on how the Union can expand and deepen ties with its neighbours.