German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the need to accelerate the EU accession process for Western Balkans at a recent summit, stating, "We must accelerate this process, at a completely new pace, so that the prospect of accession is transformed into accession itself." His remarks reflect a growing urgency within the EU to integrate these countries, which have long awaited significant progress in their memberships. Scholz's call for action aims to rejuvenate hope and facilitate necessary reforms.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama criticized the EU's accession process as "unfair and neurotic," pointing to the plight of his region compared to Ukraine, which is being granted expedited membership due to geopolitical pressures. He highlighted the inconsistencies in how the EU handles different candidates, suggesting that the Western Balkans are overlooked despite their efforts for integration. His comments shed light on the frustrations felt among Western Balkan leaders about their stagnant progress.
Rama expressed optimism in the EU's new high representative for foreign affairs, Kaja Kallas, citing her background and experience as a positive influence for the Balkans' EU ambitions. He stated, "Thank you for the kind smile in the gloomy gray weather in Brussels this morning," reflecting his hopes that Kallas would effectively advocate for the interests of the Western Balkans, given her personal history and the region's similar struggles.
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