At a significant summit in Montenegro, European Union leaders emphasized the urgent need to accelerate and enhance the credibility of the bloc’s enlargement process, emphasizing their ambition to welcome new member states. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz underscored the importance of demonstrating the EU’s readiness and capacity to expand, particularly highlighting the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU’s future plans. Merz pointed out that it’s been over a decade since a new country joined the EU, calling for necessary reforms in the accession process to facilitate future expansions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reinforced this sentiment, advocating for membership negotiations to be more effective and trustworthy for nations aspiring to join. The summit in Montenegro gathered leaders from six Western Balkan countries — Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia — all of which are on the path to EU membership. Montenegro, in particular, is seen as the leading candidate, aiming to join the union by 2028.
French President Emmanuel Macron also weighed in on the discussion, highlighting the strategic importance of EU enlargement for Europe’s security, energy independence, and migration management. Macron expressed support for the concept of “gradual integration,” which would allow candidate countries to engage with select EU institutions and initiatives prior to achieving full membership status.
The momentum for EU expansion has notably increased following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has spurred interest from Ukraine and Moldova in joining the bloc. Brussels views the enlargement as a vital strategy to bolster regional stability and mitigate external influences. This geopolitical context has added urgency to the EU’s efforts to integrate new members, especially from the Western Balkans.
Despite the growing political willpower, the EU accession process remains intricate and time-consuming, necessitating substantial reforms from candidate countries and unanimous consent from all 27 member states at each phase. The summit underscored the EU’s commitment to expanding its membership while navigating the complex requirements and challenges that come with enlargement.