EU summit: Austria pushes for faster Western Balkan integration!

EU summit: Austria pushes for faster Western Balkan integration!

A crucial summit between the European Union and the Western Balkan states will take place in Brussels on December 18, 2024. SPÖ delegation leader Andreas Schieder emphasizes the urgency of faster integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU. He points to the time previously wasted by the Hungarian government and the EU's loss of influence in the region, particularly vis-à-vis Russia and China. Schieder calls for a clear timetable for enlargement and warns of the critical situation in Serbia, which, in his opinion, is in an anti-democratic downward spiral. This could mean that accession talks with Serbia have to be suspended, as the EU cannot stand idly by and watch the country move away from democratic values ots.at reported.

The Western Balkans play a key role in EU enlargement policy. Since Croatia's accession in 2013, other countries such as Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia have positioned themselves as candidates. The accession negotiations are progressing with varying degrees of progress. The EU has a clear plan to stabilize and integrate these regions, reflecting the principle of the Stabilization and Association Process (SAP). This process promotes cooperation between the Western Balkan states and with the EU and also includes financial support and political dialogues. It is crucial that the EU continues to maintain a constructive dialogue to ensure peace and stability in the region, despite the challenges in countries like Serbia and the need for fundamental reform steps europarl.europa.eu highlights.