Italy Advocates for Western Balkans' EU Accession to Deter Russia, China Influence

Italy's foreign minister expressed firm backing for the EU membership aspirations of Western Balkan nations, warning that failure to support them could lead to increased influence from Russia or China. During a visit to North Macedonia, Antonio Tajani emphasised the need for the EU to assist these countries in aligning with Europe.

EU Membership Aspirations

"If we don't do that, there will be someone else who wants to replace us, I mean Russia, China and other parts of the world, I mean Turkey," Tajani stated. He made these comments at a press conference with North Macedonian Foreign Minister Timcho Mutsunski in Skopje. Tajani reiterated Italy's commitment to helping North Macedonia become an EU member as soon as possible.

North Macedonia and Albania have been EU candidates since 2005. They began membership negotiations in 2022, a process expected to take several years. Other Western Balkan countries aiming for EU membership include Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, and Kosovo.

Challenges and Disputes

North Macedonia's accession talks have faced delays due to disputes with neighbouring EU members. A long-standing disagreement with Greece over the name "Macedonia" and its ancient heritage was resolved in 2018. However, a new conflict has arisen with Bulgaria, focusing on Balkan history, language, and culture.

The EU has urged North Macedonia to amend its constitution to acknowledge an ethnic Bulgarian minority. This change is a condition for Bulgaria to lift its objections to North Macedonia's EU accession. The previous government in Skopje agreed to this change but failed to secure the necessary parliamentary majority.

Political Stance

The current conservative government in North Macedonia opposes the constitutional amendment and is actively working to delay it. This stance contrasts with the previous centre-left administration, which had supported the change but couldn't implement it due to insufficient parliamentary support.

Tajani's visit underscores Italy's dedication to supporting North Macedonia's EU membership bid amid these challenges. His remarks highlight the broader geopolitical stakes involved in the region's integration into the European Union.

As Western Balkan countries continue their journey towards EU membership, they face both internal and external hurdles. The outcome of these efforts will significantly impact the region's future alignment and stability.