Orban Advocates Accelerated Admission of Western Balkan Countries into EU

Viktor Orban, BSF, Bled, September 1 2021 (BETAPHOTO/STA/Nebojsa Tejic/MO)

In his address of the plenary session of the European Parliament, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban advocated an accelerated process of admission of Western Balkan countries into the European Union, stressing that the region would not be stable without Serbia joining the EU.

While presenting the priorities of Hungary’s presidency of the EU Council, Orban stated that Brussels should particularly focus on Serbia, which he views as crucial for the entire region’s stability, Radio Free Europe reported on Oct. 9.

“Without Serbia’s joining the EU, we cannot stabilize the Balkans. For as long as Serbia is not a member of the European Union, Balkans will remain an unstable region,” stated Orban, whose country is presiding over the European Union until the end of this year.

Speaking in the European Parliament, Orban reiterated that he advocated an accelerated process of admission of countries of the Western Balkans, stressing that he supported a balanced, merit-based policy of enlargement. He added that Serbia had not opened any new chapters in the accession negotiations for three years now, because of the refusal of the authorities in Belgrade to impose sanctions of Russia in response to the aggression in Ukraine.