Spanish PM calls Western Balkans essential to Europe’s future

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has reaffirmed Spain’s strong support for European Union enlargement, stressing that the EU cannot be considered complete without the integration of the Western Balkans.

At an EU–Western Balkans summit held on June 5 in Montenegro, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reiterated Spain’s long-standing position in favour of EU expansion, stating that the Western Balkans are an essential part of Europe’s future, Caliber.Az reports per local media. 

Sánchez said Spain has consistently supported enlargement and believes that “there cannot be a complete European Union without the Western Balkans within.”

He suggested that, alongside internal reforms, candidate countries could be gradually integrated into certain EU structures before full membership, including participation in discussions within the European Council and expanded access to the EU’s internal market.

“If these countries are making progress in internal reforms in certain areas, why not gradually incorporate them institutionally?” he asked.

The Spanish prime minister noted that Spain is marking the 40th anniversary of its own EU membership, underscoring the importance of democratic reforms, the rule of law, and social market economy principles in the accession process.

Sánchez also highlighted Serbia as a key country in the region, reaffirming Spain’s support for both its domestic reform efforts and its EU integration path.

“Serbia is undoubtedly one of the largest countries in the Western Balkans, and we will continue our support both for domestic reforms and for the process of EU enlargement to the Western Balkans, including Serbia,” he said.

EU enlargement has gained renewed momentum following Russia’s war in Ukraine, with officials in Brussels arguing that expansion would strengthen stability and reduce the influence of external powers in Europe’s neighbourhood.

Six Western Balkan countries are currently seeking EU membership: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo, though each is at a different stage of the accession process.

By Sabina Mammadli