An op-ed written this week by the foreign ministers of Germany and Austria emphasizing the importance of EU membership ahead of the summit of Western Balkan leaders being held in Vienna. The piece mentions examples of successful cooperation–both within the region and between Balkan states and the EU–that EU engagement has produced, and also mentions some of the challenges that persist.
20 years after the wars in the Western Balkans the region is peaceful and all the countries of the region strive to become EU-members. The significant progress achieved, however, should not be taken for granted. The region’s stability still rests on shaky foundations, and largely depends on support by the European Union. The prospect of EU membership has so far been the single most important incentive for the implementation of tough but necessary reforms and for sustained efforts towards reconciliation in the region. Our commitment to giving the Western Balkans a European perspective remains key to ensuring lasting stability in the region and to completing the transformation of the political systems, economies and societies in the region. Peaceful, stable, and democratic Western Balkans countries are in the strategic interest of the European Union.
