In a recent summit held in Montenegro, European Union leaders have emphasized the need for a more efficient and credible process for expanding the bloc by admitting new members. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz highlighted the importance of proving the EU’s capacity and commitment to integrating the Western Balkans, a region poised for future inclusion in the union. The call comes amid concerns that the EU has not welcomed new members for over a decade, pointing to necessary reforms in the accession process.
Accompanying Merz’s remarks, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen advocated for making membership negotiations more reliable and effective for countries aspiring to join the EU. Leaders and representatives from six Western Balkan countries—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—were present at the summit, with Montenegro seen as the leading candidate, aiming for EU membership by 2028.
French President Emmanuel Macron also underscored the strategic importance of EU enlargement, citing its potential benefits for Europe’s security, energy independence, and migration management. He supported the idea of “gradual integration,” a strategy that would permit candidate countries to engage with certain EU institutions and initiatives ahead of full membership.
The drive to expand the EU has gained new momentum following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with both Ukraine and Moldova also seeking membership. For Brussels, this expansion is viewed as a crucial way to enhance regional stability and diminish external influence. Despite rising political support for enlargement, the process of EU accession remains lengthy, demanding significant reforms from candidate countries and unanimous consent from all 27 member states at each phase.