The European Union, EU, has delivered major blow to the Western Balkans, WB. Unexpectedly. And what is next? Why is the EU leaving this part of Europe and who is going to take care of it? Will Russia take “control“? What can Montenegro expect? Is the enlargement process really halted?
These are some open questions that emerged after the EU leaders yesterday didn’t set a start date for membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania.
All Brussel’s requests from Skopje and Tirana have been met, but still – Europe said NO!
French president Emmanuel Macron again plays a leading role, as he’s strongly opposing accession of new member states until the EU enlargement procedures are improved and toughened. The Nerherlands, on the other hand, opposes Albania’s candidate status and challenges the estimations of the European Commission that both countries managed to fulfill requirements for accession negotiations.
Mr Macron never misses the opportunity to note that now is not the time for the enlargement.
This all is worrying the Balkans. Montenegro – which has been considered to be the first new EU member state – is shocked. It seems that EU accession in the WB won’t happen for sure, and 2025 – as a potential year of Montenegro’s accession – looks like mission impossible.
And it is obvious that this all is a political decision of the powerful states.
Therefore, EU enlargement has been halted. And what will happen to the Balkans? To Montenegro?
This has also suprised the Montenegrin president, Mr Milo Đukanović. He noted that failure to reach an agreement on openining negotiaons with North Macedonia and Albania greatly disappointed the whole region.
