German FM Wadephul calls on Western Balkan countries to accelerate reforms, reaffirm commitment to European values

Wadephul, who is visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia over the coming days, emphasised that all Western Balkan countries are “an inseparable part of the European family”, but that the accession process requires full respect for the principles of rule of law, anti-corruption efforts and the protection of fundamental rights.

“Despite disinformation and manipulation attempts by authoritarian states such as Russia, countries in the region must not deviate from the European path,” Wadephul said, warning that it is also in the EU’s interest that the Western Balkans “not be left to forces that seek to destabilise our democracies.”

According to Die Zeit, the minister believes that the moment has arrived when the “legitimate and long-standing expectations of citizens in the region” may finally begin to be fulfilled, but strictly through a merit-based approach.

Wadephul stressed that reforms must also be carried out within the European Union to ensure it remains capable of acting and enlarging. He also recalled that the political will for a European perspective for the Western Balkans was strongly supported during the term of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, but that reservations regarding further enlargement still exist among some EU member states.

The EU accession process in the region currently stands at different stages: Montenegro and Serbia have been in accession negotiations since 2012 and 2014 respectively; Albania and North Macedonia launched negotiations in 2022; Bosnia and Herzegovina holds candidate status but has not yet opened negotiating chapters; while Kosovo is considered a potential candidate.

During his Balkan tour, Wadephul will first visit Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by the remaining countries over the next several days.