During the European bloc and Western Balkans summit held in Tivat, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the ongoing process of European Union expansion. She emphasized that the accession of new members must remain fundamentally based on merit, a principle she stated guides the bloc’s enlargement efforts. However, President von der Leyen stressed that this adherence to merit cannot translate into stagnation.
She argued that the integration process requires acceleration, necessitating a framework that is faster, more credible, and significantly more visible to the populations within both the candidate countries and the established EU member states. According to statements made at the summit, there is currently a timely window of opportunity. This moment, she noted, requires the focus to shift decisively from discussions toward tangible, concrete actions, with the ultimate goal of achieving full membership.
The President specifically acknowledged the progress being made by several nations, highlighting the advancements in countries such as Albania and Montenegro along their respective integration paths. Her remarks underscored the expectation that these efforts must translate into observable, measurable steps toward fulfilling the criteria required for EU membership. The address served to reiterate the Commission’s commitment to a structured, yet increasingly dynamic, path toward enlargement.
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