MERZ CALLS FOR RAPID ACCESSION OF BALKAN COUNTRIES TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

BUDVA, OCTOBER 22 /SRNA/ – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for the rapid accession of Balkan countries to the European Union.

"Your accession to the EU is what we want. You can count on Germany's support and my personal support," Merz said at the opening of the Berlin Process summit with leaders from BiH, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and self-declared Kosovo in Budva.

At the same time, Merz urged countries in the region to implement further reforms.

"We, as the EU, have met expectations, but you must meet them as well. Reforms and political will must come from your side," the German chancellor said.

The Balkan countries are at different stages of the lengthy EU accession process, with most of them having waited for years to join the bloc.

DPA reports that Montenegro is expected to be the first country to join, with negotiations scheduled to be completed next year.