Question from multiple countries: Why does Ukraine have priority?
According to the Financial Times website on September 18th, some leaders of Western Balkan countries are becoming increasingly frustrated that Ukraine has surpassed them in embarking on a fast track to join the European Union, which has further delayed the achievement of their decades long goal of joining the EU.
According to reports, Serbian President Vuč i ć said, "I have no intention of opposing the Ukrainians. However, the level of EU support for Ukraine has made us realize that we have never received it before." Ukraine has obtained EU candidate status within a year from the date of submitting its application and may initiate accession negotiations next year.
Kiev submitted its application for membership in the EU a few days after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, and won the candidacy four months later. In contrast, Belgrade had to wait for four years after submitting its application, until 2014 when it initiated accession negotiations.
The report also stated that the EU has pledged to accelerate the process of Western Balkan countries such as Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina joining the EU. European Council President Michel stated that the EU will accept the first batch of members before 2030.
But Albanian Prime Minister Eddie Rama has raised doubts about the new timetable and joked that Ukraine's example shows that war can accelerate the process of joining the alliance.
At an event, he jokingly asked his fellow leaders, "Who should we attack here in order to join the European Union faster? Bulgaria can attack North Macedonia, Croatia can attack Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina can attack themselves... This way, we can ride in the same car as Ukraine."
Wu Qiqi said, "Originally it was said to be until 2025, but now it is said to be until 2030... it will take seven years. Who knows what will happen after seven years?"