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  • Bringing Western Balkan nations into the European Union is an "ever greater priority", the EU enlargement commissioner said Thursday as Brussels tries to restore faith in the process. Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi's visit to Serbia, to be followed by a stop in Montenegro, comes a day after the EU proposed tightening the entry process. The bloc is struggling to maintain credibility in the Balkans after it broke promises to start membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia last October, leading to another postponement despite major reforms on their part. While most member states were ready to open the negotiations, France led a small group that vetoed the move. "With the new commission, EU enlargement policy in the Western Balkans is an ever greater priority," Varhelyi emphasised in Belgrade after meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. "I want to reinforce our leverage, I want to reinforce our connections with the countries of the Balkans, especially with those who are already negotiating for accession," he added. Along with neighbouring Montenegro, Serbia is the the region's leading candidate for EU membership, and has been in negotiations with Brussels since 2014. But slow progress has been a source of frustration, with the earliest possible date of entry slated for 2025, according to the previous European Commission. Varhelyi said he would like to get "at least one country from this region ready for accession" by the end of his five-year term. The official added that Serbia and Montenegro are free to choose whether to take up the revised accession process or continue with the previous one. Under the new proposal released by the European Commission, the accession process would focus on "fundamental reforms" first, and create an option for membership talks to be "put on hold in certain areas... or suspended overall." Brussels also supports a "stronger political steer" that would see member states more involved in monitoring progress. President Vucic expressed "satisfaction" with the proposed reforms, but said Serbia would review them carefully before making a final decision. "My personal sympathies are on the side of new methodology," he said. Varhelyi added that the Commission is still fighting to open accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia "very soon," expressing hope that member states will give the "green light" at a summit in May. ks/ssm/wai
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  • EU official assures Balkan membership bids a top priority
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