EU Expansion Needs Urgency, Warns European Parliament’s Šarec

The European Union (EU) must prioritize the admission of new member states, according to Marjan Šarec, the European Parliament’s permanent rapporteur for Montenegro. Speaking at the 2BS Forum, Šarec emphasized that the current state of the EU is precarious and requires immediate action to strengthen its foundation.

Šarec expressed concern over past mistakes, particularly regarding the EU’s approach to North Macedonia. He stated, “We must not repeat the error we made with North Macedonia. We must understand that this process requires significant effort.” His comments highlight the challenges faced in EU enlargement discussions and the need for a more proactive stance.

The rapporteur criticized the EU for its lack of tangible results in negotiations, stating that it has become too focused on discussions without delivering outcomes. “North Macedonia has done its homework but received nothing in return,” he added, pointing out the frustrations that candidate countries experience when their efforts go unrecognized.

In discussing broader EU dynamics, Šarec noted the difficulties faced by French President Emmanuel Macron on the domestic front, suggesting that these challenges could inadvertently affect Montenegro’s prospects for EU membership. He warned, “Montenegro could become collateral damage, and we must prevent this.”

Šarec called for Montenegro to take a more active role in convincing EU citizens of the country’s readiness for membership. He stressed the importance of demonstrating a commitment to reforms and engagement with EU member states to garner support for its candidacy.

As the EU grapples with internal challenges and external pressures, the call for renewed focus on expansion reflects a critical juncture for the union. The future of Montenegro and other candidate nations hinges on the EU’s ability to navigate these complexities and reaffirm its commitment to enlargement, ensuring that the union remains strong and united.