The new European Commission has recently begun its work, and the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans will be one of the key priorities that European officials will focus on in the coming period.

We discussed this topic with Slovenian politician Matjaž Nemec, a Member of the European Parliament and an active member of the Delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee.

He reflected on the EU’s current priorities, the importance of enlargement in the present geopolitical context, and Serbia’s role as a key factor in regional stability.

How do you evaluate the position of the Western Balkans on the new European Commission’s list of priorities in the context of enlargement?

"Without hesitation, we can say that global upheavals, numerous armed conflicts, and a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape profoundly affect the European Union and, in many ways, the entire world. A series of crises—starting with the health crisis back in 2020, followed by the energy crisis, and now security, humanitarian, and economic crises—require the new European Commission to adopt well-thought-out measures and establish clear priorities.

Given the current situation, where the security and stability of the European continent are at stake, the question of EU enlargement must take center stage. Based on statements from both the newly elected President of the European Commission and the new Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, I am optimistic that enlargement, beginning with the Western Balkans, is among the top priorities for this five-year term.

Our collective long-term security, stability, and prosperity will depend on how successful and efficient we are in the integration process. The European Parliament’s expectations are high, and predictions that the Union could welcome a new member state by 2028 are encouraging. Achieving this, however, will require hard work - both from candidate countries working on reforms and from current member states, which must adopt bold measures to expand our European family."

How do you assess the role of the new Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, and her ability to improve relations with the Western Balkans?

He had known Marta Kos for many years, including her work as a former diplomat with extensive experience, and he was confident she would perform well during her hearing in the European Parliament.

"She did not disappoint. On the contrary, she addressed the challenges of her highly significant portfolio convincingly and provided constructive responses to the MEPs.

I am particularly pleased that the enlargement portfolio was assigned to a Slovenian. Slovenia has consistently proven itself a credible partner to our friends in the region and has a deep understanding of the sensitivities and dynamics between the countries and the mindset of the people.

One of Ms Marta Kos’s key points that I strongly support is the need to engage with the EU member states who remain hesitant about enlargement. Citizens of the EU need a clear and realistic picture of an expanded Union and the benefits it brings. In today’s geopolitical context, I see this as a strategic necessity.

At the same time, it is crucial not to overlook the Western Balkans and its people. They must be the first to feel the tangible benefits of the EU membership as quickly as possible. Kos is well-prepared to carry out this task, but constructive cooperation with us in the European Parliament will also be essential."

What will the future dynamics of cooperation between the European Union and Serbia look like under the new Commission?

As a member of the Delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee, Nemec specifically addressed Serbia.

In his view, Serbia carries a tremendous responsibility for the stability of the entire region but is held back by limited progress in certain areas such as the rule of law, media freedom, and democracy.

"It is crucial that the channels of cooperation between Serbia and the EU remain open and functional at all times. Serbia finds itself at the crossroads of competing interests from major players like Russia, China, and the EU, which complicates the building of trust between EU leadership and Serbian political actors. Over the next five years, I hope to see tangible progress in EU's enlargement process. However, achieving this will require hard work on fundamental issues such as democracy, the rule of law, and restoring citizens' trust in public institutions. Superficial or cosmetic changes will not suffice," Nemec concluded in an interview for EUpravo Zato.

(EUpravo zato)