German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock has called for the quick admission to the European Union of the candidates for membership in the Western Balkans, while the bloc marks the 20th anniversary of its expansion by 10 countries in 2004.
"The political and geographical gray areas in the Balkans or the east of the EU are extremely dangerous," Baerbock wrote in an opinion published to mark this anniversary.
"We cannot afford such gray areas, because to the Russian President Vladimir Putin, they are an invitation to intervene and destabilize," Baerbock said.
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Malta and Cyprus joined the EU on 1 May 2004.
"We know at least since Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine that expanding our EU today is also a geopolitical necessity," Baerbock underscores.
Just like 20 years ago, millions of Europeans today see an opportunity and promise to become EU citizens.
"We cannot allow another whole generation to languish in the EU's waiting room again, as is the case with the Western Balkans," she warned.
"We must not miss the opportunity to make our union bigger and stronger and, therefore, safer," Baerbock emphasized.
"The generation of the 2004 enlargement round had to muster the courage not to be swayed by headwinds and populist slogans," Baerbock said.
"Our generation is now faced with the task of defending and strengthening the European project of peace and freedom, even if it costs an incredible amount of energy. Reforms are necessary for this to succeed," the Federal Foreign Minister pointed out.
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