# Western Balkans EU enlargement advocacy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/western-balkans-eu-enlargement-advocacy > Updated: 2026-09-29T19:32:37.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2. North Macedonian Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski has repeatedly advocated for European Union enlargement into the Western Balkans, framing it as a strategic necessity for European security and stability. At the Bled Strategic Forum, Mucunski argued that EU and NATO membership are vital to counter geopolitical risks, including Russian aggression in Ukraine and the influence of China and Iran. He emphasized that enlargement should be a merit-based process focused on institutional transformation and alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, rather than a bureaucratic exercise that alters regional identities. During the ‘European Dialogues, European Heritage and Future’ conference in Skopje, Mucunski reiterated that expansion is a “strategic investment in the security, strength, and future of Europe.” He maintained that while integration is a state priority, it must remain contingent upon meeting European criteria and implementing necessary reforms. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-29: Mucunski: EU expansion into Western Balkans is a strategic security investment Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski described EU enlargement into the Western Balkans as a strategic investment in European security and stability during a conference in Skopje. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mucunski-eu-expansion-into-western-balkans-is-a-strategic-security-investment ### 2026-09-01: Timcho Mucunski calls for strategic EU enlargement in Western Balkans Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski urged the EU to adopt a strategic rather than bureaucratic approach to Western Balkans enlargement during the Bled Strategic Forum. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/timo-mucunski-calls-for-strategic-vision-in-eu-enlargement --- Cite as: Western Balkans EU enlargement advocacy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/western-balkans-eu-enlargement-advocacy