Franco-German plan pushes phased EU entry for Western Balkans to spur reforms

France and Germany floated a structured, gradual path to EU membership for Western Balkan aspirants, offering perks such as partial access to the single market and observer status at key meetings to keep reforms on track while full accession remains distant. The plan shifts toward focusing on reform substance rather than rigid formal steps and would give the European Commission more discretion over opening negotiating clusters. It aims to ease Western Balkans fatigue amid Ukraine/Moldova momentum, with Montenegro closest to closure and Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo at various stages.