The German Foreign Minister said on Monday that the transition to European Union adherence was essential to avoid the Kremlin influence in Eastern Europe.
Annalena Baerbock said the EU cannot afford to neglect areas such as the Western Balkans and leave them exposed to Russian interference after Full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Moscow.
What Baerbock said about Russia
“We cannot afford gray areas anywhere in Europe and must do everything we can together to close the flanks that Russia can use for its policy of destabilization, disinformation and infiltration,” she said. declared before traveling to Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Taking the six regional states under our wing to join the European Union has become a geopolitical necessity in light of Russia’s brutal imperialism,” Baerbock said before leaving for the region.
Providing support to countries could include “strengthening their democratic institutions, improving their resilience and providing their populations with economic opportunities,” Baerbock said.
How close are the Western Balkans to EU membership?
THE Western Balkans include the former Yugoslav regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as Albania.
Brussels is urging countries to pursue necessary reforms join the political and economic bloc of 27 members. It considers Montenegro to be the country furthest along the path to membership, but the pace is slow.
The EU is not expected to admit new members before the end of the decade, even in the most ambitious scenarios.
Bosnia and Herzegovina was granted EU candidate country status in December 2022, but negotiations have not yet started.
Montenegro has presented an “ambitious programme” to move towards EU membership, Baerbock said.
However, she added, there is still a way to go in terms of “the rule of law and the fight against corruption”.
Baerbock said Bosnia was at a crossroads after the EU granted it candidate status and should also continue reforms.
She added that Germany opposed “those who put obstacles in Bosnia-Herzegovina’s path to the EU with their divisive fantasies.”
Russia maintains close relations with Milorad Dodik, Bosnian Serb leaderwhich has challenged the ruling structure of post-war Bosnia in recent months.
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rc/ab (AFP, afp)
