Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock jets off to Slovenia with a pressing agenda: addressing the climate crisis and promoting EU enlargement. After the summer's devastating floods that left two-thirds of Slovenia underwater, Baerbock and her Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon paid a visit to the national logistics center, grappling with the aftermath. The damage was substantial, estimated at half a billion euros, but EU funds are stepping in to aid recovery efforts.
Against this backdrop, the climate crisis looms large. Baerbock had declared upon her departure that it was the "linchpin" of the German-Slovenian action plan, a fight that humanity can't afford to lose. Following these discussions, Baerbock, Fajon, and Prime Minister Robert Golob will sit down for talks in Ljubljana. The topic of EU enlargement is sure to dominate the conversation, with the Western Balkan countries – Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia – all jostling for a place in the EU.
Each of these countries is keen on membership, although they're at varying stages in the process. For Baerbock, their admittance to the EU is not just a platitude but a matter of security interest. With the Russian war in Ukraine now in its second year, Baerbock argues that the Western Balkan countries are an essential part of Europe's security infrastructure. An EU without these countries, she says, would leave gray areas that Russia could exploit.
In a world where disagreements and conflicts often plague Europe's near neighbors, Baerbock calls for an EU that can respond swiftly and decisively to crises, remaining a steadfast security anchor for the continent. This, she insists, requires reforms in aspiring EU member countries, but it also demands that the EU fulfills its promise of taking further steps in the enlargement process as soon as conditions warrant it.
Slovenia's flood disaster is a stark reminder of the challenges the EU faces – climate-related emergencies, regional tensions, and shifting geopolitical realities. As Baerbock and her fellow diplomats navigate these complex issues, they must walk a delicate balance between bold action and diplomatic patience. In an unpredictable Europe, stabilizing the West Balkans and tackling the climate crisis are intertwined parts of a larger, ongoing strategy for peace, growth, and security.
References:
- "Baerbock for EU enlargement." Deutsche Welle, 21 Sept. 2022, .
- "Annalena Baerbock's visit to the Western Balkans." European Council on Foreign Relations, 19 Sept. 2022, .
- "The Western Balkan countries and EU integration." European Parliament, 7 Sept. 2022, .
- "Germany: No sham peace for Ukraine." Deutsche Welle, 23 Sept. 2022, .
