Balkans | German Chancellor Schulz: It is in our interest for the Balkan countries to join the European Union

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has argued that it is in his country’s interest for the Balkan countries to become members of the European Union.

Speaking at the parliamentary plenary before the EU summit to be held in Brussels, Scholz expressed the opinion that the participation of the Balkan countries, which are not yet members, would be beneficial for the EU as well as for Germany.

“Our interest, and Europe’s, is that the rest of the Balkan countries are part of the European Union,” Scholz said.

The German Chancellor said that Berlin welcomes the European Union to start negotiations with the rest of the Balkan countries and accept the status of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s candidacy.

Schultz expressed his pleasure at the admission of Croatia to the Schengen area, and said that they support the admission of Bulgaria and Romania to this area as soon as possible.

At the last meeting, Austria denied the two countries entry to Schengen.

Seven countries already have formal candidacy status for EU membership. This is Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova.

At tomorrow’s summit, EU leaders’ approval of BiH’s candidacy status is certain.

Kosovo recently announced its intention to apply for full membership in the European Union.

euronews