Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen considers a “realistic accession perspective” for the Western Balkan countries to be “more important than ever” in view of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. He sees Montenegro as a “front runner”, as Van der Bellen said on the occasion of the visit of Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic to Vienna today. It is “realistic” that the small Adriatic state will become an EU member by 2028.
“No insurmountable difficulties”
Van der Bellen emphasized at a joint press conference with Milatovic, with whom the Federal President will also be attending the Opera Ball in the evening, that he currently sees “no insurmountable difficulties” that would prevent accession by 2028. All 35 negotiating chapters are already open. And in contrast to other accession candidates, Montenegro does not have any conflicts or disputes with neighbors that could hinder the accession process.
Milatovic was convinced that the accession of the Western Balkans to the EU would be the “only guarantee of stability and prosperity in this region of Europe”. In the past, the EU’s “lack of presence” in the Western Balkans led to certain countries increasing their influence in the region, said Milatovic, specifically mentioning China and Russia.
“Political vacuum” is looming
Van der Bellen also warned that if the EU does not become more involved in the Western Balkans, a “political vacuum” will arise there that other states would take advantage of. That cannot be in the European interest. With the attack on Ukraine, the Western Balkans received a “new attention” and the Union’s “laziness and fatigue” with enlargement was eliminated. “We cannot afford to leave these countries out.”
It was the first visit by a Montenegrin president to Austria since independence.