Germany taz
EU expansion: waiting room with food
Friedrich Merz is putting pressure on bringing the Western Balkans closer to the EU. It just won't be the main hall, but a side room. more...
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W hen Angela Merkel, as Chancellor, initiated the “Berlin Process” to admit the Balkan states into the EU, things had to happen quickly. Two chancellorships further, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are still waiting to be admitted to the EU. Ukraine and Moldova have now also joined them as hot contenders.
But now!, one might exclaim. At least at the EU Balkans summit on Thursday, Chancellor Friedrich Merz strongly advocated for the Western Balkan states to be brought quickly closer to the EU: their accession is very desirable. And Merz went out on a limb: the countries could rely on Germany and Merz’s personal support. However, that might turn out differently. If necessary, they will be reassigned to an EU waiting position. Or does anyone seriously believe that the referendums necessary for accession can actually be won in the countries?
Therefore, Germany and France had already proposed a different path in June: privileged access to the EU internal market and the sending of observers to EU institutions instead of full membership. Or to put it bluntly: Instead of a luxury villa with its own EU commissioner, there is a waiting room with food for the candidate countries.
The taz is an independent, left-wing and opinionated daily newspaper. We have been arguing in our comments, essays and debate texts since the taz was founded in 1979. We often cannot and do not want to agree on an opinion. That's why you'll find some completely opposing positions here - all part of the very broad left-wing spectrum of opinions.
The EU must be honest. Brussels and the capitals know that further EU enlargement is geopolitically important and economically right. And also that the countries, some of which are politically undecided, offer gateways for Moscow, Washington, Beijing and Abu Dhabi. And yet there is a lack of will and strength for real EU reforms before the elections in France, Italy, Poland, Finland, Greece, Estonia and Slovakia next year.
Before Merz rushed forward, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Chancellor Merkel had already made promises to the Balkan states - but that was of no use.