EU cannot hide divisions over Balkans, summit chair Michel says

October 6, 2021

BRDO, Slovenia (Reuters) – There is still discussion among the European Union’s 27 leaders about whether the bloc can take in new members, the EU’s chairman said on Wednesday, even as the bloc pledged to one day give membership to Balkans countries.

“In all frankness, there is discussion among the 27 about our capacity to take in new members,” European Council President Charles Michel told a news conference following a summit between Balkan and EU leaders in Slovenia.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also conceded that the blocked accession talks of North Macedonia and Albania were damaging the EU’s credibility in the region.

(Reporting by Robin Emmott; Editing by Catherine Evans)

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