Balkans’ EU Aspirations Falter With Bloc Focused on Virus Crisis

(Bloomberg) -- They were already frustrated when their efforts to join the European Union were put on the back burner following the global financial crisis. Now the six Balkan nations clamoring for entry have to wait even longer.

With the coronavirus pandemic having killed more than 100,000 people in the world's largest trading bloc and lockdown measures hammering its economies, leaders holding a virtual meeting Wednesday will disappoint the southeastern European nations hoping for signals on enlargement.

A declaration to be issued by the EU's 27 national leaders will call for unity and solidarity in fighting the virus and its economic fallout. It is expected to omit, however, any timeline for Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Bosnia Herzegovina to advance toward membership.

“We did the best we could during the pandemic,” Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman told reporters in Zagreb. Croatia holds the rotating EU presidency and is one of the aspirants' main supporters in enlargement. “The candidate countries have to work on fulfilling their obligations and once they are in the EU family, their efforts will be rewarded,” he said.

While the bloc's 27 members continue the wait-and-see approach, China and Russia are pushing to increase their in the region, increasing investment and, during the virus crisis, sending medical gear. The EU approved $3.6 billion in aid for the region last month and has sought to remind the aspirants that it's their largest financial supporter.

But it's struggling to get that message across. Last month, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic kissed the Chinese flag and praised Beijing as its biggest benefactor when a plane carrying masks and other protective equipment arrived. Some EU member states have also questioned the Balkan countries' efforts to implement reforms and improve the rule of law.

Zsuzsanna Hargitai, head of the region at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, said the absence of “the ‘enlargement' word” in the summit statement shouldn't be a concern, citing the EU's recent decision to open membership negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania after an initial delay.

“The Western Balkans is not alone in the Covid-19 crisis,” she said. “You don't have the membership of the EU, you are not part of the euro zone, but you are not alone, either financially or policy-wise.”