Former Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati has called on Western Balkan countries to remain focused in order to benefit from a new momentum in the European Union’s enlargement process, potentially driven by Iceland’s renewed accession talks.
“If Iceland resumes EU membership negotiations following a referendum this summer, Western Balkan countries must stay committed to rule of law reforms and geopolitical alignment to take advantage of this momentum,” Bushati wrote on X.
He accompanied his post with remarks from Germany’s Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, who emphasized that “the time for enlargement has come.”
“It has been 25 years since we promised Western Balkan countries in Thessaloniki that they would have a real opportunity to join the club. Now it is time for them to meet the criteria, and for us to provide a genuine opportunity for accession,” Wadephul stated.
Wadephul also referred to Iceland, suggesting it could be “next in line” should it decide to proceed with membership.
“This is a concrete and realistic opportunity for the European Union to expand within two years by one or two, perhaps even three countries from the Western Balkans, as well as two countries from the Gulf. This would clearly demonstrate that we remain attractive and are on the right path to becoming the world’s third superpower,” the German foreign minister added.
