German Chancellor Merz Calls for Strategic Overhaul in EU Approach to Western Balkans
BERLIN – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has signaled a significant departure from current European Union enlargement policies, expressing deep unease with the status quo regarding the Western Balkan states. In a direct address to nations aspiring to join the bloc, the Chancellor admitted that the existing framework has become a source of growing discomfort and called for the immediate reopening of a new strategic pathway.
Speaking on the challenges facing EU integration, Merz candidly addressed the leaders and citizens of the Balkan region, stating, “I’m feeling more and more uncomfortable with our approach to your countries. We have to reopen a new strategy.” The remarks mark a stark pivot in Berlin’s tone, moving away from the bureaucratic caution that has characterized accession talks for over a decade and acknowledging the mounting frustration among candidate countries.
The Chancellor emphasized that the risk of drifting apart is a geopolitical liability the European Union cannot afford. “I don’t want to lose you,” Merz declared, underscoring the intrinsic connection between the region and the wider European project. “You are part of the European continent, and therefore you are potentially part of the European Union.”
This intervention comes at a critical juncture for the six Western Balkan hopefuls—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—where public support for EU membership has faced pressure due to prolonged delays and complex vetting processes. For years, the accession process has been stalled by disputes over rule of law reforms, bilateral disagreements, and “enlargement fatigue” within existing member states. Merz’s comments suggest that Berlin is now prepared to champion a more accelerated or alternative integration model to prevent these nations from pivoting toward other global powers.
By explicitly stating he does not want to “lose” these nations, Merz appears to be addressing concerns regarding external influence in the region, particularly from Russia and China. Political analysts suggest that the Chancellor’s call for a “new strategy” could lead to proposals for staged accession, where candidate countries gain access to the single market and EU funds before full institutional membership, a concept that has been debated in Brussels but never fully implemented.
The statement is likely to be welcomed in Balkan capitals, where leaders have long argued that the current merit-based system has become a moving target. However, it remains to be seen how other influential EU capitals, particularly Paris and The Hague, will react to this push for a revamped enlargement strategy. As the European Union faces evolving security challenges on the continent, the integration of the Western Balkans has shifted from a technical matter of regulatory alignment to a primary question of European strategic autonomy and security.
