German Chancellor Warns Against Western Balkans Turning into a 'Battleground for Influence'

Berlin, October 22 (KUNA) — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned on Thursday that the Western Balkans risk becoming an arena for influence competition between the European Union, China, and Russia, urging the countries in the region to accelerate their path toward EU membership. German news reports quoted Merz as saying during a summit held in Montenegro that it is in everyone’s interest to make the accession of the region’s countries to the EU irreversible, emphasizing that this would enhance stability in the area.

This is Merz’s second visit to Montenegro within five months, as part of his efforts to support the expansion of the European Union. The summit is held under the framework of the “Berlin Process,” launched by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2014 to strengthen ties between the EU and the six Western Balkan countries.

In June, Germany and France launched an initiative to accelerate the accession process, proposing to grant candidate countries gradual privileges before full membership, including easier access to the single European market in exchange for progress in required reforms.

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia have been waiting for years to join the EU, with experts noting that the prolonged waiting period has contributed to increased Russian and Chinese influence in the region. (End)