Merkel sees long road for Western Balkan states to EU membership

2^min

Western Balkan states have a long way to go to achieve membership in the European Union but it is Germany's goal that they do, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday.

At a joint news conference in Belgrade with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Merkel said it was in the geostrategic interest of existing EU members that the Western Balkan states join the bloc.

"There is still a long way to go before Serbia and the whole region can finally become members of the European Union, as is our common goal," Merkel said.

"We, who are already members of the European Union, should keep in mind that there is an absolute geostrategic interest for us to include these countries in the European Union."

Merkel has previously said she sees the six Western Balkan states - Serbia, Albania, Northern Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo - as future members of the EU.

REUTERS

Merkel sees long road for Western Balkan states to EU membership

Breaking Headlines

Angela Merkel

Germany

European Union

Western Balkan

PM Salam visits historic Maronite monastery in Rome

PM Salam visits historic Maronite monastery in Rome

US 'fabricating' a war: Venezuela's Maduro on military deployment

US 'fabricating' a war: Venezuela's Maduro on military deployment

Lebanon to end daylight saving time, clocks to be set back one hour

Lebanon to end daylight saving time, clocks to be set back one hour

Trump says he would 'like' to meet North Korea's Kim on Asia trip

Trump says he would 'like' to meet North Korea's Kim on Asia trip

Meet Miss Lebanon 2025 contestants: Video

Meet Miss Lebanon 2025 contestants: Video

Series of Israeli airstrikes spark massive fire in southern Lebanon

Series of Israeli airstrikes spark massive fire in southern Lebanon

Lunar eclipse captivates Lebanon: watch the stunning video

Lunar eclipse captivates Lebanon: watch the stunning video

Prime Minister Salam meets Pope Leo XIV, stresses Lebanon’s unity and Palestinian rights

Prime Minister Salam meets Pope Leo XIV, stresses Lebanon’s unity and Palestinian rights

Lebanon to end daylight saving time, clocks to be set back one hour

Lebanon to end daylight saving time, clocks to be set back one hour

Israeli airstrike targets car in southern Lebanon’s Harouf

Israeli airstrike targets car in southern Lebanon’s Harouf

Fake news: No security deployment around Mar Mikhael Church; images circulating are AI-generated

Fake news: No security deployment around Mar Mikhael Church; images circulating are AI-generated

Lebanon launches reconstruction of southern hospitals damaged by Israeli strikes

Lebanon launches reconstruction of southern hospitals damaged by Israeli strikes

LBCI sources: Morgan Ortagus currently in Israel, heading to Lebanon Monday

LBCI sources: Morgan Ortagus currently in Israel, heading to Lebanon Monday

From Kiryat Gat: US base oversees Gaza ceasefire and Trump plan

From Kiryat Gat: US base oversees Gaza ceasefire and Trump plan

Lebanon tightens tax collection and security fees to boost state revenue

Lebanon tightens tax collection and security fees to boost state revenue