Kallas expresses concern about security situation at start of Balkan tour.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas wants to express her concern for stability in the region on her trip to the Balkans this evening in Sarajevo. Milorad Dodik, President of the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska, is openly threatening secession. At the start of her trip to Montenegro, Kallas emphasized that attacks on the unity and constitutional order of Bosnia-Herzegovina could not be tolerated. Politicians must overcome divisions, not deepen them, said Kallas. This was important in order to move the country forward on the path to the EU. Bosnia-Herzegovina is one of the laggards in the enlargement process. This is also due to the destabilizing influence of the Kremlin, which has one of its governors in the region in Dodik.

It was no coincidence that Kaja Kallas began her tour in Montenegro's capital Podgorica. On paper at least, Montenegro, together with Albania, has the best chance of becoming an EU member state before the end of the decade. The country could be proof that the EU's enlargement strategy still has a future. Montenegro is the only candidate country to have opened all negotiation chapters and has already closed six. Montenegro has made progress on its European path, said Kallas. However, there is still a lot to do.

Kallas welcomed the fact that Montenegro supports the EU's common foreign policy with the sanctions against Russia. However, the picture is also mixed in Montenegro. Although the strongest force in the coalition under Prime Minister Milojko Spajic calls itself "Europe Now," it is considered pro-Serbian.

Serbia, on the other hand, has fallen behind as the largest country in the region. This was confirmed by S D MEPs Kathleen Van Brempt, Tonino Picula and Andreas Schieder before a conference of their group on enlargement. The EU must strengthen pro-European forces in the candidate countries. "The European dream of peace and prosperity is what unites us," said Flemish MEP Van Brempt. In view of the geopolitical shifts caused by Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, it is important to strengthen political unity and protect democracy. Enlargement would not only bring benefits for the accession countries, but also for the EU. Stephan Israel