Former Slovenian President Warns Western Balkans May Not Join EU by 2050

At the "Friends of the Western Balkans" conference in Ljubljana, former President of Slovenia Borut Pahor cautioned that if the current pace persists, the Western Balkan countries will not be ready to join the European Union by 2050. Pahor emphasized the need to restore confidence in the EU enlargement process and called for a commitment from both the EU and the countries in the region to be prepared for enlargement by 2030.

Pahor acknowledged that it is likely not possible for the entire Western Balkans to join the EU by 2030, as there is a lack of optimism and trust in the dialogue process. He stressed that without progress in the dialogue, neither Kosovo nor Serbia can achieve a more secure future. The former president warned that even 2050 may not be a realistic target for the region to join the EU if the current situation persists.

Why this matters: The Western Balkans' potential accession to the EU has significant implications for peace, stability, and economic development in the region. Pahor's warning highlights the urgent need for renewed commitment and progress in the EU enlargement process to prevent further delays and uncertainty for the Western Balkan countries.

Pahor emphasized the importance of preserving peace, stability, and the welfare of people in this part of Europe, stating that the enlargement of the European Union is the only sustainable guarantee of peace and security. He noted that time is running out due to geopolitical challenges like the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East.

The former Slovenian president offered to replace Miroslav Lajčak as the EU's special envoy for the stalled dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. Pahor stated that the dialogue has stopped due to a lack of trust and that a way forward needs to be found for the future of both Kosovo and Serbia.

Pahor's remarks at the "Friends of the Western Balkans" conference serve as a sobering reminder of the challenges facing the EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans. The former president's call for a renewed commitment to the process and his offer to mediate the stalled dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina underscore the urgency of finding a way forward for the region's European integration after 20 years, a critical juncture.

Key Takeaways

• Pahor warns Western Balkans may not join EU by 2050 at current pace
• Lack of progress in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue threatens EU accession
• Pahor offers to replace Lajčak as EU's special envoy for stalled talks
• Geopolitical challenges like Ukraine war hamper EU enlargement process
• Pahor calls for renewed commitment to EU integration in Western Balkans