Michael Roth: Situation in Western Balkans Is Still Fragile  

Michael Roth (Olivier Hoslet, Pool via AP)

German Minister for Europe Michael Roth on May 11 said that the EU enlargement was an important topic of a meeting of the EU foreign ministers in Brussels, noting that “the situation in the Western Balkans is still fragile.”

Before the meeting, Roth stressed that “peace, progress, stability, and the rule of law are vital for all of us in the EU.”

On May 10, the EU foreign ministers held a political debate on the Western Balkans, saying that the region was of special geopolitical importance for the EU.”

The Croatian state secretary for European affairs, Andreja Metelko-Zgombic, said that “Croatia consistently advocates a clear European prospect and a convincing enlargement policy for all six Western Balkan countries.” “But the authorities in those countries must do their part in relation to democratic reforms, human rights and the rule of law,” Metelko-Zgombic noted.

German Minister Roth underlined that the EU had to keep its promise. He stressed that the EU had to give life to its  orientation, noting that “both, Albania and North Macedonia have done everything they had to do and therefore the EU has to do its part, and do it right now.”