Bushati-Pahor: The EU must admit the Western Balkans by 2030, otherwise it risks losing the region

2025-05-17 18:32:00, Politikë CNA

Bushati-Pahor: The EU must admit the Western Balkans by 2030, otherwise it risks

In the next podcast 'Public Square', Ditmir Bushati has invited former Slovenian President Borut Pahor, with whom they discussed one of the most essential issues of the moment for Europe and the Western Balkans: the reshaping of the global geopolitical order and the region's place in this new international mosaic.

Pahor emphasizes that the post-Cold War international order is coming to an end. A world is emerging where the logic of spheres of interest dominates, no longer the classical principles of international law and multilateral institutions. Europe is facing a complex transition, where it must adapt peacefully, to avoid violent consequences or instability.

Pohar says that the European Union is facing the need for bold decision-making in relation to the Western Balkans.

“If the EU does not act now, it will be too late later,” Pahor declared, stressing that the international geopolitical order is changing rapidly and the EU must adapt to avoid remaining a second-rate power. “The Western Balkans cannot remain hostage to the bureaucracy or fear of member states, it is time for vision and political courage,” Pahor said.

Discussing global developments, Pahor emphasizes that we are entering a world dominated by the logic of spheres of interest, while the role of the post-Cold War international order is fading. According to him, in this new mosaic, the Western Balkans risk becoming a buffer zone between the West and the autocratic East, especially if Serbia remains outside the EU. For this reason, Pahor continues to argue, enlargement can no longer be treated as a technical and slow process, but as a geopolitical priority. He proposed a “package” approach for all Western Balkan countries, with the aim of joint EU membership by 2030.

"The cost of this decision-making is much lower than the consequences of a divided Balkans influenced by Russia and China," Pahor said.

According to Pahor, the EU today lacks strong political leadership, compared to the leaders of the US, Russia or China . He stressed that the current structure of the EU hinders effective decision-making, so it is necessary to review competences, strengthen defense and make a stronger connection between integration and security.

Borut Pahor is a very important political figure, who founded the "Friends of the Western Balkans" initiative. An initiative that promotes the earliest possible inclusion of our region within the EU, and also the creation in the future of the United States of Europe, as a pole that can interact more powerfully with the United States of America, Russia and China as important geopolitical actors.