EU-Western Balkans Summit Pushes for Accelerated Integration
Chancellor Scholz and EU leaders emphasize the need for concrete progress amid ongoing challenges in the EU accession process for Western Balkan states.
- Chancellor Olaf Scholz hosted the Western Balkans summit in Berlin, urging faster EU integration for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
- A new action plan for a regional market and a mobility agreement for students were adopted, alongside commitments to the Green Agenda with substantial financial support from Germany.
- Despite progress, unresolved issues like the Kosovo-Serbia dispute and democratic backsliding in the region continue to hinder the EU accession process.
- Critics argue that the EU applies double standards, pointing out that current member states like Hungary also face issues with democratic governance.
- The summit's outcomes include the lifting of a three-year blockade on the CEFTA free trade agreement, aiming to boost regional trade and cooperation.
Deutsche Welle 
Die Tageszeitung 
Süddeutsche Zeitung 
Stern 
Sächsische Zeitung 
Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung 
WELT 
Der Tagesspiegel 