Thewesternbalkans.
According to the information of the European institutions and different media, on 7 and 8 of April the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, visited Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania, as part of her first trip to the Western Balkans.
Kallas began her regional visit with meetings with Montenegrin officials on 7 of April. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, she praised Montenegro’s commitment to reforms, reiterating that there are no shortcuts to membership—only through reform can progress be achieved.
“I welcome Montenegro’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the UN Charter. I also commend your generosity in welcoming Ukrainian refugees. From what I understand, you have taken in more refugees per capita than any other country in the world,” Kallas said.
Prime Minister Spajić affirmed Montenegro’s determination to maintain the current pace of reforms.
“Last year was the most successful yet in terms of Montenegro’s European integration and sets the stage for continued progress this year. Montenegro has no doubts—the European Union is our strategic path, and nothing can divert us from it. We are the only country in the United Nations to have voted in full alignment with EU decisions. We are grateful for the support you’ve provided in strengthening our defence, which enables us to participate in joint NATO and EU activities. This demonstrates our commitment to foreign policy, regardless of who serves as prime minister or who is in government,” Spajić emphasized.
In Tirana Kaya Kallas said that Albania is a strong partner of the European Union and a NATO ally. Albania is fully aligned with the EU’s common defence and foreign security policy and implements EU sanctions against Russia alongside with its political, military and humanitarian support to Ukraine. At the joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the EU High Representative stated that Albania could potentially become a member of the EU by 2030. She described Albania as a truly strong partner of the EU and emphasized that the country is fully aligned with the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy.
Albania is also promoting the cooperation within the Western Balkans, including supporting local authorities. The EU is fully committed to Albania and remains Albania strongest trading partner.
And later on 8 of April it was launched the first ever EU-Albania strategic security and defence dialogue. This marks an important step deepening EU-Albania cooperation also in the affairs of security and also new areas including fighting hybrid threats, the cyber security counter terrorism and crisis management.
The EU has already provided over €30 million in funding through the European Peace Facility to enhance readiness of Albanian Armed forces. Additionally, Kaya Kallas informed that her service has proposed a joint defence requirement of EU candidate countries, which is under discussion among Member States.
Albania has an ambitious agenda to close EU negotiations in the next two years. Kaya Kalas said that there are no shortcuts on the path of accession and it is vital to sustain the high pace of reforms. In Brussels understand that the reforms are always quite difficult, but Albania has an EU full support when it comes to opening new clusters and meeting the benchmarks, especially the rule of law.
Albania is going to sign of €90 million agreement with European Investment Bank to reconstruct the railway between Port of Durrës and Rrogozhinë as part of corridor 8 project. This project will create new jobs, enhance trade and also improve activity, bringing Albania closer to its neighbours, but also closer to the European Union. It will also serve as a critical route for the member States and NATO for the military mobility in the Southeast Europe which is extremely important in the current security environment.
Prime Minister Rama stated that Albania is fully aligned with the European Union in all areas. He revealed that, during his meeting with Kaya Kallas, they discussed the accession process and a “very ambitious timeline” agreed upon with the European Commission to complete negotiations by 2027. When asked whether 2030 is a realistic target for Albania to join the EU, Kallas responded affirmatively, stressing that it is achievable if all parties fulfill their obligations.
In Sarajevo Kaya Kallas assured the B&H presidential “troyka” that the EU is committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU path as well as the security and stability of the region.
“The Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the cornerstone of peace here and it must be respected. Any actions undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty and constitutional order or state institutions are dangerous and unacceptable. In particular, recent legislation and initiatives in the Republika Srpska entity undermined the work of this country’s institution and the delivery of public services” she said.
European High Representative also visited the European Union troops which are in the frame of the Operation EUFOR Althea and stated that “is a clear demonstration that the EU stands ready to ensure peace and stability as well as supports B&H institutions by swiftly increasing the number of troops in response to the political crisis.”
Kaya Kallas stressed also that the political leaders must work to bridge the division, not to deepen them and they are responsible for finding a solution out of the current crisis. Political instability also prevents progress on B&H path to joining the European Union which is the real desire of the people. With few certain achievable steps the country will be able to formally open accession negotiations soon.
The Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željka Cvijanović, stated that the country’s EU path faces numerous obstacles.
She noted that problems can be resolved if there is mutual understanding, emphasizing that BiH could overcome these challenges “through reasonable conduct by the EU”. According to her, the meeting with Kalas was an opportunity to demonstrate to EU officials just how divergent the views within BiH truly are.
Speaking about the situation in RS entity, Cvijanović rejected claims that anything happening there that could undermine the territorial integrity of BiH.
“There is no need for anyone to warn us – nothing is happening in Republika Srpska that would threaten the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, Cvijanović said.
Comments: During her visit to the region, Kallas did not visit Serbia, Kosovo and Republic of North Macedonia. She stated that the EU is working on an analysis of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue in order to encourage the normalization process between two sides.
“What we are doing this month is sitting down with the special envoy to really go through what the mistakes have been along the way, what is working and what is not, and to ‘ignite a new fire’ in this normalization process,” Kallas said. For the RNM there was not any explications.
The visit of only two real negotiating countries (Albania and Montenegro), as well as the troubled Bosnia and Herzegovina, clearly confirms the EU’s priorities in the Western Balkans region. As we have noted on other occasions, the EU will seek enlargement to Montenegro and possibly to Albania (under the strong influence of Italy), and Bosnia will be kept under control.
