The EU cannot allow "gray zones" in Europe: Berbok supported the admission of the Balkan states to the European Union
Kyiv • UNN
German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock said that the accession of the Western Balkans to the EU would strengthen Europe's security in the face of Russian aggression, emphasizing that the EU needs to act quickly.
The accession of the Western Balkan states to the European Union will be an important contribution to the security of Europe due to the constant aggressive policy of Russia. This was stated by German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock, according to Deutsche Welle, transmitted by UNN.
Details
Before her visit to Slovenia, Burbock said that because of Russia's imperialism in the center of Europe, the EU cannot afford to leave countries in "gray zones."
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The countries of the Western Balkans are fully consistent with our European Union. These are not empty words, but in our own security interests
She also emphasized that in the modern world countries need the unity of the European Union, which is able to act quickly and decisively and at the same time "will remain an anchor of security for all of us in Europe"
Addendum
The German foreign minister recognized that some countries need to complete a number of reforms to join the European Union.
At the same time, the EU should keep its word and take the next steps in the enlargement process as soon as all conditions are met,
For reference
All six countries of the Western Balkans want to join the EU, but they are at different stages of the process. Some of the countries have been waiting to join the EU for decades.
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In particular, accession talks have been launched with Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania. Bosnia and Herzegovina was granted candidate status in December 2022. The Republic of Kosovo, which became an independent state in 2008 but is still not recognized by several EU member states, is also considered a "potential candidate" for EU membership.
As a reminder,
EU ambassadors will discuss Ukraine's potential EU membership starting this Tuesday, with a summit to be held on December 14-15 to make a decision.
