Claudia Plakolm, Austrian Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Family

The activities of the student movement show that we, in the EU, must also live up to our promises and that the time is ripe for reforms across the region. If we agree to provide a European perspective, we must also assume responsibility for the consequences of making such a promise~ Claudia Plakolm

In this interview with Austrian Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Family Claudia Plakolm, we explore the EU’s commitment to enlargement, Austria’s strong support for the Western Balkans and the importance of turning promises into tangible progress. Minister Plakolm discusses the need to accelerate reforms, maintain credibility within the region and find new ways to gradually integrate candidate countries, including through access to EU programmes and the European Single Market. She also emphasises the role of youth engagement, the risks of geopolitical neglect and the importance of economic resilience and strategic cooperation between the EU and its closest neighbours.

You recently underscored the need to accelerate the EU enlargement process, stressing that the first membership candidate countries could join the Union by 2030. What concrete steps should the EU take towards achieving this goal?

— It is true that we must step up our own efforts when it comes to the credibility of the EU perspective for our partners in the Western Balkans. We all know that empty promises or false hopes will only trigger frustration and facilitate the influence of other actors in the region. Austria has been a frontrunner in the promotion of “gradual integration”, advocating the step-by-step integration of our Western Balkan partners in certain areas of the Single Market. This might be a concrete deliverable on the path to EU integration, adhering fully to the merit-based approach.

You have mentioned the possibility of limiting the right of veto in order to accelerate certain phases of the enlargement process. How could such a change impact the dynamics of EU decision-making and the perception of membership candidates?

— It is less about limiting rights than about achieving tangible results. We are still in favour of unanimity in the EU’s foreign and security policy, because this strengthens our unity and global leverage.

However, we must be open to considering innovative solutions on the road to enlargement, also in an effort not to lose our partners and to maintain credible EU accession prospects for them. As I said previously: we must live up to our promises and refrain from postponing them repeatedly.

You’ve stated that the recent protests in Serbia demonstrate that the population – especially young people – is ready for reform and is committed to European integration. How can the EU further support this energy and youth engagement around the region, given that the demands of the student movement in Serbia largely reflect the democratic values championed by the EU?

— As Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Family, I am also in charge of all youth-related matters in the Austrian Federal Government. I therefore have a strong interest in ensuring that the concerns and hopes of young people are adequately taken into consideration. The activities of the student movement also show that we, in the EU, must live up to our promises and that the time is ripe for reforms in the region.

We must be open to considering innovative solutions on the road to enlargement, also in an effort not to lose our partners and to maintain credible EU accession prospects for them

If we agree to give a European perspective, we must also assume responsibility for the consequences of making such a promise. At the same time, the EU has always been clear that we expect fundamental reform efforts by our partners. We need to see clear results in the areas of the rule of law, media freedom and good neighbourly relations.

You advocate the gradual integration of candidate countries through their inclusion in EU programmes. Which specific programmes do you see as being most important for the Western Balkans, and how could participation in them contribute to the integration process?

— The decision on specific programmes will require some further reflection, I am sure, but there are already some good proposals on the table. Austria has long promoted the principle of gradual integration, which has finally arrived at the EU level. The EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is a good example of that. It will open up certain areas of the European Single Market to our partners in the Western Balkans (e.g. access to SEPA) in return for fundamental reform efforts.

You’ve expressed concern that the Western Balkans could become vulnerable to the influence of other geopolitical powers if the EU fails to integrate the region. How can the EU respond effectively to these challenges and ensure the region’s long-term stability and prosperity?

— I think the risk of vulnerability is real. We can witness the same developments in any kind of relationship: if you have high hopes, but someone constantly disappoints you, you will turn to other people.

So, we must acknowledge progress, reward reform efforts and clearly state what more is needed to achieve a concrete result. Honesty and trust are crucial to any solid relationship and they must work both ways. This is particularly true in international relationships, where each partner brings their own sensitivities, expectations, and historical and cultural heritage to the negotiating table.

But let me be clear: the time for lip service is over on both sides – we need to live up to our promises, but our partners in the region must also be serious about their reform efforts; not least to convince those that are still sceptical about enlargement.

You have warned that the EU risks losing credibility in the region if it does not accelerate the enlargement and integration process for the Western Balkan countries. How can the EU maintain trust in its enlargement policy, particularly in light of current geopolitical tensions and growing public disillusionment? What specific actions should be taken to restore and preserve the EU’s credibility in the Western Balkans?

— First and foremost, it will be important to apply the same criteria to all candidate countries. I have some sympathy for the geopolitical dimension of enlargement decisions, because the prospect of EU membership can be a good incentive to implement necessary reforms etc. However, we must avoid inequality and the risk of ending up with two categories of candidate countries. We saw that emerge briefly when Ukraine was granted candidate status. There was a certain degree of frustration, also in Brussels, that the Western Balkans no longer seemed to be on an equal footing. Austria, together with a group of like-minded EU member states, has consistently warned of that risk. I am pleased to see that our efforts have paid off and that there is now some new dynamic in the enlargement discussion as a whole.

Given the aggressive trade policy pursued by U.S. President Donald Trump, you have remarked that the EU must assume greater responsibility in the global economy. In this context, how do you see the future of economic cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans, and what are the key economic challenges of this region that the EU should address?

— Austria, as you know, is one of the key investors in the region, but our ties to the Western Balkans extend far beyond economic interests. In the end, it’s about people, their stories and our joint hope of working towards a better future. But to answer your question: I think the current geopolitical developments clearly demonstrate the need for the EU to diversify its economic relations, especially in our neighbourhood. We must strive to be more resilient, more autonomous and more assertive when it comes to our economic interests. A closer relationship with our partners in the Western Balkans, therefore, isn’t just a simple necessity, but a strategic investment in the future of our continent.