European Council President Antonio Costa said on Thursday that the European Union will explore new ways to accelerate the membership process for six Western Balkan candidate countries at an upcoming summit, according to the Associated Press. Speaking in Belgrade after meeting Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Costa emphasized the bloc's commitment to the region's European perspective, citing innovative, merit-based approaches to make accession more dynamic.

Costa's pledge in Belgrade: 'innovative approaches' for six candidate countries

During a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Costa stated that the EU is looking for methods to speed up the accession process for Albania, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The summit, expected later this year, will focus on concrete measures such as phased integration in trade, transport, and energy even before full membership is granted. Costa stressed that the EU's door remains open but candidates must meet all conditions, as reported by the Associated Press.

Why the process has stalled: bilateral disputes, lagging reforms, and geopolitical shifts

The Western Balkan nations have grown increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of EU enlargement, the source says. Bilateral disputes among the candidates, lagging domestic reforms, and geopolitical shifts—including tensions with Russia and China's growing influence in the region—have all contributed to the stagnation. Costa's visit underscores the EU's renewed focus on the Balkans, though analysts caution that words must be matched with action to restore trust.

Phased integration as a workaround before full membership

One concrete option on the table, according to Costa, is phased integration—allowing candidate countries to participate in select EU policy areas like trade, transport, and energy before achieving full membership. This approch aims to maintain dynamism in the process, even as full accession remains distant. The EU has already taken steps such as granting candidate status to Bosnia in 2023 and launching accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia in 2022, but visible progress has been lacking.

Serbia's dual challenge:rule-of-law scrutiny and Russia sanctions refusal

Serbia, a candidate since 2012, has made headway in some reform areas but faces criticism over rule-of-law issues and its refusal to impose sanctions on Russia, according to the Associated Press report. This dual resistance remains a key stumbling block. Vucic reiterated his country's commitment to EU reforms but warned against unrealistic timelines,saying at the press conference, 'We are ready to do our homework, but the process must be fair and predictable.'

Vucic's 'fair and predictable' demand and the trust deficit

While welcoming Costa's visit, Vucic's remarks highlighted a deeper skepticism within the region. The lack of visible progress has fueled doubt both among Western Balkan citizens and within EU member states. Costa acknowledged the challenge, stating, 'We have to be honest about the challenges, but also credible in our promises.' The upcoming summit will test whether the EU can translate its rhetorical commitment into binding timelines. The Associated Press notes that the integration process is seen as crucial for European stability amid Russia and China's influence.