Example Nation under scrutiny in Wadephul analysis

German Politician Meets with Croatian Leaders to Discuss EU Enlargement

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul of Germany has embarked on his first visit to Croatia, where he met with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman. The visit, which took place in Zagreb, comes as Wadephul seeks to strengthen Germany's ties with Croatia and discuss key issues related to the European Union (EU).

During the visit, Wadephul praised Croatia's role as a model and bridge-builder for EU candidate countries in the region. This commendation comes as Croatia joined the EU in mid-2013, making it the first country from the Western Balkans to do so.

The discussions between Wadephul and the Croatian leaders are expected to cover several important topics. These include joint support for Ukraine, European security and defense, and EU trade policy. The meetings also aim to encourage the Croatian government to play an active role in the accession process of the Western Balkan states.

The Western Balkans region is currently undergoing EU accession negotiations with several countries. The EU has been conducting accession negotiations with Turkey since 2005. In 2022, the EU began negotiations with North Macedonia, Albania, and most recently, North Macedonia and Albania. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo have not yet started EU accession negotiations.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a potential candidate country for EU accession, but negotiations have not yet begun. Kosovo, too, is a potential candidate country for EU membership, although it is still at an earlier stage in the process, such as applying for candidate status or questionnaire submission.

Montenegro and Albania, on the other hand, have started negotiations for EU membership. Despite this, they are still considered to be at earlier stages in the accession process compared to countries like Croatia.

As the EU continues to expand, it is crucial for countries like Germany to maintain strong relationships with its potential member states. Wadephul's visit to Croatia marks a significant step in strengthening these relationships and moving towards a more united Europe.