Athens – Timcho Mucunski, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, emphasized at the Delphi Economic Summit in Greece that the enlargement of the European Union to include the Western Balkans is crucial not only for economic and trade reasons but also for ensuring political and security stability across Europe. He noted a significant disparity between the EU’s promises and their actual fulfillment, as reported by the MIA correspondent in Athens.
During his speech, Mucunski discussed the EU integration prospects for his country, its relationship with the United States, and the importance of transatlantic cooperation. He began by expressing gratitude to Greece and its citizens for their support following the tragic nightclub fire in Kochani, a sentiment that received applause from attendees.
In a panel discussion titled “Is the EU – USA alliance beyond repair?” Mucunski highlighted the significant role the USA plays as an investor in the region’s political, security, and economic stability.
– We have not sufficiently recognized the threats posed by the interactions of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, which I address from a political, security, and economic standpoint. From the perspective of the American government, these countries are seen as both strategic competitors and potential threats, he remarked, noting that Europe has varying perspectives on how to engage with nations like China.
Mucunski pointed out that NATO is evolving its strategies to strengthen the alliance, stressing that while the USA invests in stability, it is imperative for individual countries to take responsibility and acknowledge threats from local, regional, and global viewpoints.
Reflecting on his country’s European aspirations, he reminded the audience that it has been two decades since it was granted candidate status, yet negotiations have yet to commence. He attributed this stagnation to being subjected repeatedly to bilateral criteria. He argued that the EU has allowed a vacuum to persist in the Western Balkans, resulting from “the gap between commitments and delivery, specifically the promises made in our region and the lack of follow-through.” This gap, he asserted, opens the door for influence from external actors such as Russia and China.
– We are sending a clear message to Brussels and EU member states: it is crucial to establish a concrete pathway for the Western Balkans and to bridge the gap between commitments, as well as the numerous opportunities that were once promised to us. While we often hear that now is the moment for action, the EU’s delivery has consistently fallen short. In this context, it is important to acknowledge that one of the strongest advocates for the EU’s enlargement has always been the United States, which, despite not being an EU member, has a vested interest in the region’s stability, Mucunski concluded. (April 10, 2025)
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