Germany urges Balkan states to back Russia sanctions

BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday urged Western Balkan countries to align with the European Union’s policies and sanctions against Russia.

Speaking at a news conference in the Albanian capital Tirana, Scholz reaffirmed Germany’s support for the EU membership bid of Western Balkan states but also raised Berlin’s expectations from these countries.

“We must bring our positions closer. With regards to sanctions, we’re expecting from EU candidate countries to align with the sanctions policy of the EU,” he said, and called for a common stance against Russia, due to its war on Ukraine.

He named “visa policy” as another important area, where Western Balkan states should align themselves with the EU to achieve progress in the accession process.

Scholz met with the leaders of EU member states and Western Balkan countries during a one-day gathering held in Tirana, which focused on regional problems, irregular migration, economic cooperation, and ways to address the energy crisis.

The chancellor underlined that Germany strongly supports the EU membership bids of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

“We’ll do everything to enhance cooperation and accelerate the EU accession of the Western Balkan countries,” he stressed, adding: “With today’s Tirana Declaration we have once again reaffirmed our commitment to the EU enlargement process.”

The candidate countries have to meet the EU's "Copenhagen criteria" on membership, which requires the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and respect for and protection of minorities.

The Western Balkan states have been waiting to join the EU for almost 20 years, but their membership bids were long-stalled, due to regional problems, and the reluctance of several EU states to take in new members.

Scholz has repeatedly said Russia’s war on Ukraine is a historical turning point for Europe, and the EU should speed up the accession processes of the Western Balkan states to enhance regional security and stability.

Western Balkan countries have been seeking membership in the bloc for more than a decade, and their leaders have repeatedly criticized their European counterparts for being reluctant to take in new members, blocking EU enlargement.

Serbia and Montenegro were granted EU candidate country status more than 10 years ago and have since continued negotiations to join the bloc.

The EU decided to start membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia in July, while Bosnia and Herzegovina is hoping to obtain the EU candidate country status later this month. For now, Kosovo is only considered a potential candidate to join the EU.