Plakolm penetrates the western Balkans by 2030!

Plakolm penetrates the western Balkans by 2030!

European Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) demands more speed in the EU expansion, especially for the Western Balkans. In her latest statements, she emphasizes that the EU should first list the first candidates by 2030. Plakolm criticizes that no major progress in the region has been made for over 20 years. She warns that the EU could lose credibility in the Western Balkans if European Integration is further failed. The population, especially youth, is ready for reforms and expected from the EU.

plakolm suggests reducing the vetom options within the EU in order to accelerate the accession process. The most advanced candidates of the accession include Montenegro, Northern Macedonia and Albania, whose accession will be sought by 2030. Compared to Ukraine, which recently received the EU candidate status, Plakolm emphasizes that these countries are far more progressive and urgently needed a perspective. It calls for a gradual integration of these countries into EU programs and emphasizes the need to strengthen EU international partnerships.

challenges in the Western Balkans

The discussion about the future of the Western Balkans is complicated by the presence of a controversial non-paper entitled "Western Balkans-a way forward". This document, which has been circulating since spring 2021, proposes a reorganization of the Western Balkans according to ethnic principles. The formation of "ethnically pure" nation states and the abolition of the existing post -war order are discussed. Planned new large states range from Greater Albania to worrying proposals that could let military conflicts in the region flare up again. Criticism of this paper comes from various political representatives who sharply condemn ethnic nationalism and see European integration as the only way.

In addition to these internal challenges, the EU must continue to react to geopolitical changes. Twenty years after the great eastern expansion, the EU is again discussing the future direction of the western Balkans. In this context, the need for a comprehensive reform of national legislation in countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Northern Macedonia, which is necessary to meet EU standards. Meanwhile, countries such as Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia can implement similar reforms to accelerate their European path.

public perception and future outlook

Public support for an expansion of the EU seems to be available, as a Statista survey shows, according to which 53 percent of the EU inventors agree to future expansion. However, there are regional differences, especially in France and Germany, where there is a majority against an expansion. Placolm and other decision -makers warn that the hesitant attitude of the EU harms interest in the western Balkan states and enlarges the geopolitical vacuum in the region.