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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Friday that the European Union must ensure by 2033 the integration of the six Western Balkan countries into what he called “an ambitious but necessary step”.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has given a new sense of urgency to link Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, northern Macedonia, Bosnia and Kosovo closer to the 27 EU member states, in part to responding to the growing Russian and Chinese influence in the region. This approach may include full membership or an alternative community.
In an article published in ‘Politico’ ahead of the summit to be held in Greece, on the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), Mitsotakis said that the EU must show that when it sets out a vision, it has the aim and capacity to to follow him ”.
The EU accession vision for the region, he said, has become “vague, fading in the eyes of frustrated and disappointed citizens”, while EU enlargement has stalled in recent years due to security concerns, governance and migration.
A summit between the European Union and the countries of the Western Balkans will be held on 23 June.
“My message today is clear: in line with the set criteria, let us offer the integration of the entire Western Balkans into the EU by 2033 – an ambitious but achievable timeline. That’s too late, “Mitsotakis said.
“The first step should be a decision within two weeks in Brussels, to unblock the road of Northern Macedonia and Albania.
Mitsotakis’ initiative shows how Greece has tried to increase its role in the Balkans after emerging from a financial crisis that tarnished its image.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who kicked off a two-day tour of the Western Balkans on Friday, is also expected to travel to the Greek city of Thessaloniki to attend a dinner with 13 SEECP participants./rel
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