PODGORICA, Oct. 22 /ATA/ – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned on Thursday that violence and political polarisation could not be answers to political challenges, calling for dialogue, stability and continued reforms in the Western Balkans.
Speaking at the Berlin Process Summit in Montenegro during a plenary session entitled “A Region in Motion: The Western Balkans Shaping Europe’s Common Future,” Merz urged leaders to maintain momentum on EU enlargement and ensure citizens benefit from the process.
“We all see the protests across the region, across Europe and in our own countries. And these protests send a clear message: we must continue the enlargement process and ensure that our citizens benefit from it,” he said.
Merz stressed that violence must never be an option for any side, whether protests take place in the European Union or the Western Balkans. He also warned that progress would be particularly difficult if countries remained held back by their past.
“Divisive rhetoric and increasing polarisation will not lead us towards a safer, freer and more prosperous Europe. And history will not look kindly on those who sow division in these complicated times,” he said.
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