ATHENS

Italy wants to see the Western Balkan countries join the EU bloc before 2030, local media said on Monday.

“We are in favor of allowing all countries to join before 2030. Maybe Bosnia and Herzegovina needs more time but the others – Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia – are countries that have made progress and I think 2029 is the right time,” said Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Monday’s ministerial meeting of the Western Balkan countries in Rome, according to the state-run ANSA news agency.

On Kosovo, he said: “We now work to end a difficult period, during which everyone should take a step forward. The rights of minorities must be respected and I hope that the tension that exists on the border between Kosovo and Serbia won’t continue.”

Most UN member states, including the US, Britain, France, Germany and Türkiye, have recognized Kosovo as a separate country since it declared independence in 2008. Serbia, however, continues to see it as its territory.

Recent months have seen tension build in northern Kosovo, an area bordering Serbia with a large ethnic Serb population.

Also taking part in the meeting, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on X: "The Western Balkans are part of the European family. Our security is inseparable. Our cooperation is essential.”