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It was not to be missed, the NATO summit in the Hague last week. With security on high alert in The Hague, tensions in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine, there was plenty to discuss around the forums. Besides the 5% NATO norm, it was reiterated that Russia is the biggest threat to NATO countries. Something that was less, or frankly not in the news was the European summit on June 26 and 27, followed by the accession conference with Montenegro on June 27. The Western Balkans have been sitting in the waiting room with little prospect for the future since the beginning of this century. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, EU enlargement seemed to be gaining momentum, but thanks to the rise of the extreme right, this has been thwarted to this day, as they, do not even see Russia as a threat and do not believe in a stronger European Union. This is painful, especially now that European security is at the top of the agenda.
Key to European security in Western Balkans
The key to European security lies in the Western Balkans. Support from NATO and the European Union is needed, to protect these countries from foreign interference and autocratic influences, such as from Russia and China. Therefore, when discussing European security, the Western Balkans are indispensable in this dialogue.
And because of the growing threat of Russia in the European Union, it is all the more remarkable that there is still no greater investment in EU enlargement in the Western Balkans. There are annual country reports and public support from the European Commission, but actual, strong actions toward accession are missing. And precisely accession is essential for the countries, because there is no other option, other than Russia. Future plans are needed, not only for the accession of countries such as Albania and Montenegro, but also for the European Union itself. How does the EU see itself in 10 years? To become or remain a strong world power, a strong vision of the future is needed.
Vision of the future from the Social Democrats
With the far right increasingly taking over power both inside and outside Europe, it is important to protect democracy and European values and strengthen European security. Europe now realizes that it must stand on its own two feet. So one of the ways to ensure European security is to invest in the European accession of the Western Balkans. This is something the Social Democrats are actively working on. But, they still have little success in making their mark on the future vision of the EU, while conservative and radical right forces present demolition of the EU as a clear goal. This is what we need to work on. Of course, this is easier said than done, as there are complex questions to be answered. Do European institutions need to be reformed? And what should these look like? Should they take place before or after the accession of new member states? Or is reform not necessary at all? Space must be created within the party (parties) to discuss this and come up with a vision. Especially with the upcoming elections in the Netherlands.
Conclusion
European security must be protected, and this is only possible by taking steps to enlarge the European Union with the countries of the Western Balkans. They are the heart of Europe and the bearers of the Union’s protection. It is therefore all the more important to bring the countries into the EU. This requires a vision for the future, especially from the European Social Democrats. From the Dutch party GroenLinks-PvdA, which advocates for gradual accession, there is a proactive attitude, but sometimes a long-term vision for the EU in general is missing. By actively engaging in the future of the EU, Europe is stronger in the world and GroenLinks-PvdA is also prepared with the upcoming elections in mind.
The motivation behind this article is the advice written by Yza Schraal (NHL Stenden), to advise Foundation Max van der Stoel on their role in the accession of Albania and Montenegro to the EU. The entire report can be read here.
