On Monday 11 May, the European Union and the Western Balkans agreed to strengthen their cooperation on foreign, security and defence policy, particularly in the face of hybrid threats from Russia. They also discussed the state of progress of the reforms required for the enlargement process. These discussions took place at two parallel ministerial meetings: the Council of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels and the informal General Affairs Council in Nicosia, ahead of the EU-Western Balkans Summit scheduled for 5 June in Tivat, Montenegro.
Strengthening CSDP cooperation. “The Western Balkans are a strategic priority for the EU”, said EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, after the Foreign Affairs Council. This will mean “increased EU support against hybrid threats and disinformation, a new security and defence partnership with Montenegro” - a partnership that the EU has already signed with Albania and North Macedonia - and greater use of the European Peace Facility to strengthen their defence capabilities. In return, the EU expects “more” progress on the rule of law and “clear alignment” with European foreign policy.
Resignation of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EU27 also discussed the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the need to “not to let the country drift”, following the announcement by the High Representative, the German Christian Schmidt, that he will be stepping down. “We must remain united to find a successor”, said Ms Kallas.
Gradual integration, enlargement based on merit. The Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, acknowledged that the EU was still using an enlargement methodology that was “40 years old”, while welcoming the positive discussions around gradual integration, particularly in the single market and security.
“Enlargement is and must remain based on merit. Credible reforms and measurable progress are the best guarantee that enlargement will strengthen the unity, effectiveness and global role of the Union”, explained the Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, from Nicosia, whose country currently holds the rotating Presidency of the EU Council. She pointed out that, despite “the difficult geopolitical and security context”, there were “no shortcuts” in the enlargement process, and that fundamental reforms - rule of law, democratic institutions, judicial independence, media freedom, public administration and economic governance - “remained at the heart of the negotiations”. For his part, the European Commissioner for Budget, Piotr Serafin, underscored the broad support for the principle of “gradual integration” of the candidate countries before full accession.
From Nicosia, and as other ministers reiterated in Brussels, the French Minister Delegate for Europe, Benjamin Haddad, described enlargement as a “geopolitical necessity”, while reiterating that the process should remain “merit-based”.
“Enlargement is an imperative for both the European Union and the candidate countries. It is about getting the Western Balkans out of the grey area of Europe”, summed up in Brussels the North Macedonian minister, Timcho Mucunski.
Montenegro, the good student. Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ervin Ibrahimović, reaffirmed the objective of concluding negotiations this year and joining the EU in 2028. Marta Kos highlighted the progress made by Montenegro, which could complete the technical part of the negotiations by the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027. According to Luxembourg’s minister, Xavier Bettel, this country is “the good student”. On 13 May, the Council Working Party responsible for drafting the Accession Treaty with Montenegro will meet for the first time.
Upcoming disbursement under the Growth Plan. Marta Kos also announced new Growth Plan payments for Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia, specifying that no decision had been taken for Serbia. Around €160 million will be disbursed shortly for these three countries, according to an EU source consulted by Agence Europe.
Kosovo and Serbia. Kosovo’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Glauk Konjufca, said his country was pressing ahead with reforms and wanted to achieve official EU candidate status, while his Serbian counterpart, Marko Đurić, said Serbia maintained a “balanced” and “pro-European” foreign policy and should not be “treated like a black sheep”. He reiterated the proposal of Serbian President, Aleksandar Vučić, to bring the whole of the Western Balkans into the EU “immediately”, calling for “the region’s integration into the Schengen area to be unblocked this summer”. (Original version in French by Ana Pisonero Hernández)