Merkel’s “Farewell Tour” Underlines Balkans’ Importance

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The Balkan countries are important for Germany – that’s seemingly the reason why German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who’s set to step down from her post following elections this autumn, is taking an extensive “farewell tour,” meeting with leaders from six Balkan states – some of them EU aspirants – in the region next week: Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.

On Monday, she’s scheduled to meet with Serbia’s president, Aleksandar Vučić, with whom EU accession and economic cooperation will be on the agenda. President Vučić has expressed his country’s gratefulness for Germany having launched the Berlin Process, which has fostered peace and trade between his country and its neighbors.

When Merkel arrives in Tirana, Albania on Tuesday, not only will she meet with that country’s prime minister, but will also share a meal with five prime ministers from the other Balkan states.

Source: Euractiv

CET Editor

Recent Posts

Gender pay gaps remain in CEE, despite EU efforts

Romania and Poland have gender pay disparities among the lowest in the EU, according to…

1 week ago

Europe’s trilemma: rearmament, green transition, competitiveness

European leaders met in Brussels on 20 March to confront a mounting policy dilemma: how…

1 week ago

‘We always choose the best and fastest method for acquiring ammunition’ – Estonia defends policy

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur pushed back on Tuesday against criticism of the country’s joint…

1 week ago

Croatia eyes Russia’s share in Serbian oil firm NIS

Croatian Economy Minister Ante Susnjar said state-owned oil pipeline operator Jadranski Naftovod (Janaf) could acquire…

1 week ago

EU probes Hungarian subsidies to BYD under new foreign subsidies rules

The European Commission (EC) has launched an inquiry into state support provided by Hungary to…

1 week ago

Poland’s GDP to grow by 3.7%, CEE by 2.6%

Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is set for stronger economic growth in 2025, with GDP…

2 weeks ago