Integrating the Western Balkans is a security necessity for Europe

Nine countries are currently pushing to join the European Union, yet the door to full membership has remained largely locked for over a decade. German politician Friedrich Merz recently visited Montenegro to explore accession prospects for the Western Balkans, bringing renewed attention to a long-stagnant process.

Sceptics of rapid expansion rightly argue that candidate nations must satisfy rigorous criteria before entering, ensuring that the union's decision-making and legal standards are not compromised.

Yet leaving candidate states in permanent geopolitical limbo carries severe risks. As highlighted during Merz's mission to Montenegro, a failure to secure the next accession step directly benefits external rivals like Russia and China, both eager to gain ground on the EU's borders.

Europe is stronger and safer when it anchors its immediate neighbourhood within a shared democratic and economic framework. Completing Western Balkan integration is not an act of charity, but a vital step for continental stability and resilience.