Brussels should move beyond a purely technical, economic focus to embrace a clear political vision in order to prevent Europe from regressing or fragmenting.

Multilateralism has failed, and Europe needs stronger unity and a more proactive approach that goes beyond techno-bureaucratic measures as the Atlantic balance shifts.

Europe must adopt a stronger political vision to prevent fragmentation, rather than relying on technocratic solutions.

The remarks were made at the SEE Observatory’s annual Balkan integration forum, underscoring concerns about regional and broader European integration dynamics.

On extremism, governing requires practical actions, not just rhetoric, and the AfD’s latest German election results are troubling but not catastrophic, with rising nationalist and anti-European sentiments in parts of the East German bloc.

The AfD’s results signal growing nationalist and anti-European sentiment in East Germany, pressuring Brussels to rethink its approach without overreacting.

Extremism requires realism and concrete action rather than proclamations from political forces.

Franco Dal Mas warned in Trieste that delaying EU enlargement to the Western Balkans could drive those countries toward China or Russia, stressing the strategic importance of their integration for Europe’s balance of power.

EU enlargement to the Western Balkans is as crucial as Ukraine and Moldova in Europe’s geopolitical equation, and Europe risks losing influence if it acts too slowly.

Enlargement to the Western Balkans should be prioritized now to maintain Europe’s influence and balance of power.