As a distinguished expert on the Western Balkans region, Borut Pahor, former Slovenian President and Prime Minister, discussed the current situation and the future prospects of EU accession for the Western Balkan states.
He emphasised that following the war in Ukraine, there is a greater willingness within the EU to integrate these states into the Union. "The war in Ukraine has changed the geopolitical realities and raised awareness within the EU that the integration of the Western Balkans is a strategic necessity," said Pahor.
Loss of credibility of the EU
However, Pahor also took a critical stance: "The EU has lost a lot of credibility both among the population and in politics." The trust of the people in the Western Balkans in European integration has been weakened. "There is little hope for the future," he added, pointing out that this pessimistic mood represents a major challenge for the EU and the candidate countries. He also pointed out numerous problems associated with a possible EU enlargement. In particular, he mentioned the increased investment and involvement of countries such as China, Russia, Turkey and Arab states in Serbia. Pahor emphasised that the EU's indecision was putting Serbia in an uncertain position, causing the country to lean towards China and Russia. "The confidence that Russia can defend Serbia is deeply rooted in Serbia," said Pahor.
Democratic West vs. autocratic East
In our conversation, Pahor ventured a provocative prediction: "The future will be a democratic West and an autocratic East." The situation in Georgia was also a topic. Pahor drew parallels between the situation in Georgia and Ukraine before the war.
These developments emphasise the urgency of integrating the Western Balkan states into the European integration process and thus securing stability in the region.
Insights and outlook
Borut Pahor also impresses audiences as a keynote speaker with his sound insider knowledge and in-depth knowledge of the region. Through the lens of the Balkans, he takes a different look at the current geopolitical debates and brings in another aspect. Pahor's perspective and his comprehensive understanding of geopolitical dynamics provide a completely new perspective.
