Leaders from the six Western Balkan countries gathered in Montenegro’s Adriatic resort of Kotor to discuss speeding up reforms and creating a single market to facilitate their path to joining the European Union. Despite promises of EU membership in the past, progress has been slow due to various factors, including reluctance among EU members and a lack of reform in the region.
The EU has proposed a common growth plan worth 6 billion euros to help the Western Balkan countries establish a regional common market and align with the European common market standards. This plan aims to promote free movement of goods and services, as well as cooperation in areas such as transport and energy. However, the countries must first implement necessary reforms and address outstanding issues with their neighbors.
European Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, emphasized that the growth plan is no longer just a draft but a reality that is being implemented. One of the incentives for the region would be access to the Single European Payment Area (SEPA), which could lead to significant cost savings for businesses and individuals.
While Serbia and Montenegro have already begun EU membership talks, Albania and North Macedonia initiated talks in 2022. On the other hand, Bosnia and Kosovo are lagging behind in the process. Additionally, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Albania are already members of NATO, further solidifying their ties with Western institutions.
The meeting in Kotor signifies a renewed commitment to the European integration process for the Western Balkan countries, as they work towards fulfilling the necessary requirements for EU membership.