Italy Warns of Russian and Chinese Influence in Western Balkans

Italy's foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, issued a strong call for the European Union to prioritize the accession of Western Balkan countries, warning that failure to do so could push the region towards greater influence from Russia or China.

During a visit to North Macedonia, Tajani emphasized the importance of supporting these countries in their European aspirations. "We must lend a hand to those peoples who want to be with us Europeans," he said, underscoring the geopolitical risks. "If we don’t do that, there will be someone else who wants to replace us — I mean Russia, China, and other parts of the world, like Turkey."

Tajani made the remarks at a joint press conference with North Macedonian Foreign Minister Timcho Mutsunski in Skopje, where he reaffirmed Italy's commitment to helping North Macedonia join the EU. "Italy is working and will continue to work for North Macedonia to become an effective member of the European Union as soon as possible," Tajani said.

North Macedonia and Albania have been official candidates for EU membership since 2005, but their accession has been a slow and complex process. They finally launched negotiations with the EU in 2022, though it is expected to take years before either country fully joins the bloc.

Other Western Balkan countries, including Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, and Kosovo, are also seeking EU membership but face similar obstacles. Regional disputes and political hurdles continue to complicate their path to joining the European Union.

Regional Disputes Holding Back North Macedonia's Accession

North Macedonia's EU membership has been particularly delayed due to disputes with neighboring countries. A long-standing conflict with Greece over the use of the name "Macedonia" and the region's historical heritage was resolved in 2018, but a new conflict with Bulgaria has emerged. This dispute centers on issues of Balkan history, language, and culture.

Under pressure from Bulgaria, the EU has called on North Macedonia to amend its constitution to include a reference to the existence of an ethnic Bulgarian minority. In exchange, Bulgaria would lift its objections to North Macedonia's EU accession.

However, the constitutional change has sparked domestic political tensions. The previous center-left government in Skopje had agreed to the change but failed to secure enough parliamentary support. The current conservative government opposes the amendment and is actively seeking to delay the process.

As these political challenges persist, Italy and other EU member states are concerned that delays in Western Balkan integration could open the door for influence from powers like Russia and China, further complicating the region’s future.