Is the Balkans Splitting the EU Apart.

Byline: Pyotr Iskenderov

The European Union is going through a serious internal crisis over the prospects of its further expansion, with the main line of confrontation running between Paris and Berlin. On October 15, France, backed by Denmark and the Netherlands, blocked the EU's decision to start negotiations concerning the admission of Albania and Northern Macedonia. Germany and other EU members opposed the move as unfounded, citing previous decisions by the European Commission.

This split at the very top of the 28-member bloc could seriously undermine its status in the eyes of the Balkan states, and force them to shift their foreign policy priorities and possibly turn towards Russia and its integration mechanisms. The news of the decision by France, the Netherlands and Denmark to block the previous EU decision to start admission talks with the two Balkan states, citing the slow pace of their reforms followed the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg.

The three countries opposed the start of negotiations with Albania, and France's position concerning similar talks with Northern Macedonia was equally negative.

Paris also insisted on a fundamental reform of the EU's accession process. Is the Balkans Splitting the EU Apart Pyotr Iskenderov Germany and other EU members disagreed, arguing that in late May, the European Commission had found Albania and Northern Macedonia fully in line with EU conditions and ready to engage in EU accession talks with Brussels. Moreover, Brussel's promise to start such negotiations is clearly mentioned in the list of official decisions made by the European Union. At the same time, Brussels uses a differentiated approach to Balkan countries' applications for membership, with the EU Commissioner for European neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, speaking against inviting Serbia and Montenegro to start negotiations, arguing that they should make "more efforts to protect the rule of law." Naturally enough, the Balkan counties were disappointed by this decision.

Just a few days before the Luxembourg meeting, the leaders of Albania, Northern Macedonia and Serbia gathered in the Serbian city of Novi Pazar, accusing Brussels of ignoring their interests. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama called on his colleagues from Northern Macedonia and Albania to work out a foreign policy agenda without waiting for tips from Brussels.

"There has been no change in the agenda of...