BELGRADE, Serbia: It’s in the European Union’s strategic interests to integrate the Balkan states into the bloc, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday as she urged Serbia and other countries in the region to do more on democratic reforms in order to join.
The Western Balkan states which include Serbia, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo have for decades sought EU membership. But due to the blocs stalled interest in enlargement and the years of diplomatic crises the EU faced as Britain left the bloc, those Balkan nations have been left to seek other alliances, including with Russia and China.
All of us who are already members of the European Union should always make clear to ourselves that there is an absolute geo-strategic interest for us to really include these countries into the EU, Merkel said at a joint news conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in the Serbian capital of Belgrade.
Merkel noted the presence of other suitors for the Balkan nations.
There are also influences from other regions in the world and if the European Union doesnt move fast enough … then of course one is forced to arrange oneself with other partners, Merkel said. As German chancellor and a member of the European Union, (I) always make it clear to ourselves how important it is for the European Union to get closer to these countries.”
Merkel did not run for reelection this year after leading Germany since 2005. Germany is holding a general election on Sept. 26.
Vucic, a former ultranationalist, praised Merkel as a true ally who during her 16 years as the German chancellor managed to maintain peace in the Balkans that went through bloody wars in the 1990s.
She was undoubtedly the true leader of Europe, Vucic said. I have a fear who will replace her.
Vucic has been widely considered a strong Merkel ally in the Balkans despite his growing autocratic tendencies that include stifling independent media, ignoring the rule of law and interfering in free and fair elections. Those three foundations of democracy are key preconditions for any country to join the 27-nation EU.
Merkel has never publicly criticized Vucic for his undemocratic policies. Many believe she felt hes the only Serb leader who could find a negotiated solution for Kosovo, a breakaway former Serbian province whose independence Serbia and its allies Russia and China dont recognize, while the U.S., Germany and most of the West do.
I think that honesty in our talks and the ability to listen to each other and then develop doable steps from this characterizes our relationship, Merkel said Monday. I got to know Aleksandar Vucic as a person who makes no false promises and who also tries to implement what he promises.”
She urged Serbia to make “further steps in the direction of the rule of law, democracy, plurality of society.
After Belgrade, Merkel travels to Tirana, the Albanian capital, on Tuesday, where she is scheduled to meet the leaders of five other Western Balkan states that strive for EU membership.
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Kristen Grieshaber contributed from Berlin.
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