Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot has embarked on a week-long diplomatic mission across the Western Balkans, signaling renewed European commitment to a region
still waiting—often for decades—for its place inside the European Union.
The tour, which includes stops in Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, marks Prévot’s first official visit to the region. His message is clear: the Western Balkans are not on the fringes of Europe—they are an integral part of it, both geographically and strategically.
“Their security and stability are inseparable from Europe’s own,” Prévot stressed, while underlining that EU membership remains conditional on meaningful reforms. For many countries in the region, the accession process has stretched beyond 20 years, testing both political patience and public trust in the European project.
A region at different speeds
Among the five देशों, Montenegro stands out as the most advanced EU candidate. Already using the euro, Podgorica is aiming for membership by 2028. During his visit, Prévot is also expected to highlight economic cooperation, including a stop at the Luštica Bay development near the Bay of Kotor—an upscale project backed by Belgian firm Besix.
In contrast, Serbia presents a more complicated case. Its close ties with Russia and ongoing tensions with Kosovo continue to hinder progress. Brussels has repeatedly called for normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina as a key condition for further accession talks.
North Macedonia, once seen as a frontrunner, has faced persistent roadblocks, particularly due to disputes with Bulgaria over historical and minority issues. The Belgian visit aims to encourage renewed reform momentum after years of stagnation.
Security and stability at the core
In Kosovo, Prévot will meet political leaders and visit Belgian troops serving under the NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping mission, a reminder that security concerns remain very real in the region.
The final stop in Bosnia and Herzegovina carries deep historical weight. A visit to Srebrenica will commemorate the 1995 genocide, where more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed by forces led by Ratko Mladić. The site remains a powerful symbol of the consequences of instability—and a stark warning for Europe.
EU perspective: progress, fatigue, and geopolitics
The European Union has formally reaffirmed that the Western Balkans belong in the bloc. However, enlargement has slowed significantly in recent years due to internal EU divisions, reform fatigue within candidate states, and rising geopolitical competition—particularly from Russia, China, and Turkey.
Countries like Montenegro and Serbia are in active negotiations, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are at earlier stages. North Macedonia’s path has been repeatedly delayed despite meeting several EU conditions, fueling frustration among its citizens.
At the same time, the war in Ukraine has reshaped EU thinking, making enlargement a strategic priority once again. Brussels increasingly sees integration of the Balkans not just as a bureaucratic process, but as a geopolitical necessity to ensure long-term stability on the continent.
Prévot’s visit reflects this shift: a mix of encouragement and pressure—support for accession, but also a firm reminder that reforms, rule of law, and regional cooperation remain non-negotiable. Photo by Konrad Laskowski / MFA, Wikimedia commons.