EU turns on Croatia; Germany makes the first move

Berlin has actively stepped in to help resolve the dispute and is urging Zagreb to take a constructive approach, four officials directly familiar with the situation confirmed to Euronews.

Index reports that Croatia sent Montenegro a list of eight disputed issues this week that it wants resolved before Montenegro concludes its EU accession negotiations. Germany is therefore seeking to ensure that the enlargement process continues without delays, as a blockade of Montenegro, considered the most advanced candidate for membership, could jeopardize the entire process.

The disputes mainly concern the legacy of the wars of the 1990s, including property claims and unresolved border issues. These problems threaten Montenegro’s goal of becoming the EU’s 28th member state by 2028.

Croatian officials maintain that investigations into war crimes and compensation for victims are conditions that Podgorica must meet before concluding accession negotiations. At the same time, Zagreb faces accusations that it raised the disputes at the last minute in an attempt to increase pressure on Podgorica.

Croatia, for its part, argues that these are longstanding issues and that its demands are largely symbolic in nature.

The European Commission has also become involved in the discussions, while several member states are trying to prevent bilateral disputes from bringing the enlargement process to a standstill. France wants to avoid complications over enlargement amid its domestic political situation, while Luxembourg has criticized the practice of using the accession process to resolve disputes between countries.

Although several governments are holding talks with Croatia, the strongest pressure is coming from Berlin. Germany recently offered to mediate, but that offer has yet to be taken up.

Croatia’s position has also drawn public criticism, including from EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Speaking on the sidelines of an EU summit, she stressed that bilateral issues must not be allowed to block the accession process.

A race against time

EU officials fear that support for enlargement could shift if Montenegro’s accession process is not completed soon.

Elections are scheduled to take place next year in several key EU member states, including France, where Marine Le Pen, known for her skepticism toward further EU enlargement, is leading in opinion polls.

Montenegro’s accession process is unfolding against a backdrop in which Brussels is using its enlargement policy to strengthen ties with neighboring countries amid tensions with Russia. As Montenegro is first in line for EU membership, a deadlock over bilateral issues could also negatively affect other candidate countries, including Albania, Moldova, and particularly Ukraine, whose accession prospects are linked to future peace negotiations with Moscow.

Montenegro would also be the first country to join the bloc under the new enlargement methodology.