Tivat (dpa) – Western Balkan states such as Montenegro and Albania can hope for more rapid integration into the EU following an initiative launched by Germany’s Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron. After a summit meeting in Montenegro, Merz said the Franco-German proposal to gradually bring the candidate countries closer to the EU had met with great approval, adding that this was a clear message to the people in the Western Balkan countries that they were welcome in the EU. The candidate
countries in the region include Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia. Kosovo is considered a potential candidate country. Montenegro has progressed furthest along the path to accession. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Montenegro’s accession as the 28th EU member state by 2028 was “within reach”.
Germany France initiative Western Balkans EU integration Montenegro Albania Serbia Bosnia and Herzegovina North Macedonia Kosovo Friedrich Merz Emmanuel Macron Ursula von der Leyen 2028 accession