The Russian war of aggression is also indirectly putting pressure on the EU. Since the Kremlin is expanding its sphere of influence in the western Balkans, the admission of the states there should be pushed ahead quickly, said Chancellor Scholz at a summit meeting. The focus is particularly on Serbia, which is very close to Russia.
According to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Russian attack on Ukraine increases the pressure for the six Western Balkan countries to join the EU. "There is a greater urgency to this," said Scholz at the opening of the Western Balkans conference in the Chancellery. The so-called Berlin Process will accelerate the accession process of Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro. "Your accession is in our interests," he said to the six governments.
The heads of state and government of the six Western Balkan countries as well as several EU heads of government, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Charles Michel will take part in the conference. The Berlin Process was started by former Chancellor Angela Merkel in order to improve cooperation between the sometimes hostile parts of the former Yugoslavia. Agreements on the mutual recognition of ID cards, university diplomas and professional qualifications are to be signed in Berlin.
"So the Berlin process is making progress," said Scholz. However, both sides need to step up the pace. "Europe can only be complete with the Western Balkans." The background is also that in view of the geopolitical tensions there is growing concern about the influence of Russia, China and Turkey in the region. One topic of the deliberations is likely to be how to deal with Serbia, which is the most advanced in the EU accession negotiations, but maintains special relations with Russia and has not joined the EU sanctions against Moscow.
At the beginning of the Western Balkans conference, SPD parliamentary group leader Dirk Wiese called for more pressure on Serbia in the fight against illegal migration. "As a country that wants to become a member of the European Union, Serbia cannot participate in alleged destabilization by third parties," said the SPD politician. The background is the allegation that Serbia allows people from Asian countries to enter the country, who then move on to the Schengen area via the EU border. In Germany, the number of refugees has been increasing significantly for weeks. Russia is also accused of inciting migration movements.
Refugees should not become a pawn, warned Wiese. "And the slightest suspicion should not arise here that Serbia's special proximity to Russia would be an influencing factor here. Serbia should send a very clear signal that it wants to take the European path and sees its future in Europe." The federal government warned on Tuesday that the government in Belgrade would have to choose between closer cooperation with Russia and closer ties with the EU.
