From the Munich Security Conference, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed Balkan countries aiming for membership in the European Union, expressing dissatisfaction with the EU's current approach to the region and calling for a new strategy.
"I am feeling increasingly uncomfortable with our approach to your countries. We need to reopen a new strategy. I don't want to lose you," Merz declared, emphasizing that the Balkan countries are part of the European continent and, therefore, potentially part of the European Union.
The German Chancellor also spoke about political obstacles within the EU that, according to him, are slowing down the enlargement process. “There is an elephant in the room. Everyone here in this room knows who is against this, but we have to overcome this,” he said, referring to the need for a unanimous vote in the European Council to open new negotiation chapters.
Merz stressed that he hopes that after the elections to be held in April, the conditions will be created to move forward with the enlargement process. "After the elections in April at the latest, I hope that we will be able to open the next chapters and bring you ever closer to the European Union, ultimately as members," he declared.
