Progress stalls on EU entry for Western Balkans nations

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN and LORNE COOK
Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders will gather Wednesday for a summit on how to keep engaging with their Western Balkans neighbors, but the bloc’s once-successful enlargement policy faces an impasse. The European Commission made repeated promises that the future of six countries in the region lies within the 27-nation bloc. But progress has stalled on admitting Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia amid divisions among member countries as well as some bilateral issues. According to a draft document seen by The Associated Press, EU member countries are expected to reaffirm their commitment to the enlargement process but will stop short of providing a clear deadline.