Western Balkan Countries Should Enter EU Ahead of Ukraine, Says FM

Péter Szijjártó at the Budapest Balkans Forum

It is impossible for Ukraine to join the European Union before the countries of the Western Balkans, as this would completely contradict the merits-based nature of the integration process, said Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó.

The minister at the Budapest Balkans Forum said that it has been a long time since a new member state has joined the European Union, while the community is currently in a terrible state in economic and security terms.

“Our situation is much worse than before. We need some fresh ideas, some new energy, something that will put us in a better state,” he said, adding that this boost could only come from the Western Balkans.

The EU applies double standards when @vonderleyen speaks of Ukraine joining before 2030, while the Western Balkans have waited 14+ years. Their integration would strengthen the EU, Ukraine’s accession, however, poses risks to our economy & agriculture. Welcome, @fivanovicpg! pic.twitter.com/6A6cXRvw7O

— Péter Szijjártó (@FM_Szijjarto) March 13, 2025

He has pointed out that the countries of the region have been waiting an average of 14.5 years for membership. He also referred to what he called the “hypocrisy of some member states”, who, he said, speak in a completely different way in private than they do in public.

When they speak in public, they are always positive about the expansion, but when the 27 of us meet behind closed doors we, who are in favor of this, are in the minority,”

he underlined. When it comes down to the real issue the majority of member states are against the expansion, he added.

Péter Szijjártó called it impossible for Ukraine to join the European Union before the Western Balkan countries. In this context, he spoke of the importance of the “merit-based” nature of the integration process. He argued that this should apply to all candidate countries, and that

Ukraine is hardly better placed than the Western Balkan countries to meet the accession criteria.

The minister stressed that the EU would not only increase the number of member states by admitting the Western Balkan countries, but would also significantly strengthen the community. “It is time for the Western Balkan countries to join, so that we can make the European Union stronger,” he said.

So Ukraine can jump the queue while the Western Balkans have to wait? If war is the new “merit,” then those pushing it should at least say it openly. pic.twitter.com/ZLp5DR4rTT

— Péter Szijjártó (@FM_Szijjarto) March 13, 2025

He pointed out that the EU needs new member states, because right now both the United States and China are rising up in the global economic rankings. He added that the politicians of the European Commission knew that Trump has patriotic policies and have seen his first term in 2016. “We knew that from the beginning of the campaign he would continue to do the same as before. We knew he was going to impose tariffs. We’ve known all this for months and now we are very surprised that this has happened,” he said.

Families in Focus at UN Women’s Summit