Western Balkans to join the EU

Van der Bellen promises Montenegro EU accession

(Bild: BMLV/HBF/Carina Karlovits)

Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and the Montenegrin head of state Jakov Milatović agree: the Western Balkans must be brought closer to the EU as quickly as possible.

It was not without reason that Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen invited the young head of state of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, who was newly elected around a year ago, to this year's Opera Ball as a state guest. The 37-year-old Milatović embodies a new generation of politicians in the Western Balkans who want progress and are no longer characterized by exuberant nationalism, and Montenegro is a pioneer among the Balkan states in its rapprochement with the European Union.

Before the joint visit to the Opera Ball, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen received his Montenegrin counterpart Jakov Milatović in the Vienna Hofburg.(Bild: BMLV/HBF/Carina Karlovits)

In a joint interview with the "Krone" and APA in Van der Bellen's office in the Vienna Hofburg, the two presidents agreed that the six states of the Western Balkans - Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina - must be brought closer to the EU as quickly as possible, step by step.

According to Milatović, the EU has been conspicuous by its absence in the Balkans for far too long: "Russia and China have taken advantage of this. Each in their own way." But for most people in the Balkans, the EU would still enjoy the greatest support.

Attack on Ukraine as a wake-up call for Brussels
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine was a kind of wake-up call for Brussels, says Milatović. It made it clear how important the Balkans are, also from a security policy perspective. "There must not be a political vacuum in the Balkans," says Van der Bellen. "A vacuum doesn't stay empty for long - someone will immediately step into it."

The EU perspective is the most important motivation to carry out reforms.

Jakov Milatović

Milatović's goal is to lead his country into the EU as its 28th member by 2028. The country is on the right track. All important chapters of the accession negotiations have already been opened and Montenegro is making an effort to carry out the necessary reforms. "The EU perspective is the most important motivation to carry out reforms," explains Milatović. "In this context, Montenegro's accession to the Union would also be an important signal to the other Western Balkan states - a sign that reforms would pay off."

Van der Bellen's office was also the venue for the joint in-depth discussion with the "Krone" and APA.(Bild: CARINA KARLOVITS)

"For years, Austria has been the most consistent supporter of the countries in the Western Balkans on their path towards the EU," says Van der Bellen. There are various reasons for this. Historical ones, of course, but also economic ones. Austria is one of the most important investors in the Balkans. "In addition," says Van der Bellen, "more than 500,000 people who have their roots in the Balkans live in Austria." Austria would therefore find it easier to understand the often complex problems in the Balkans. Milatović also emphasizes this: "Austria is certainly our biggest supporter in the EU."

President studied in Vienna for a semester
The President also has a personal relationship with Austria, having studied at the Vienna University of Economics and Business for a semester. He also visited the State Opera a few years ago when he was on vacation in Vienna with his wife. "Back then, we went to a ballet and sat right at the top of the rows."

Of course, that was different as President Van der Bellen's guest at the opera ball ...