Italy is stepping up efforts to accelerate the Western Balkans’ path toward European Union membership, promoting a new framework that calls for equal treatment of future members while tying enlargement to Europe’s wider strategic and economic interests.
The initiative, known as the “Rome Charter,” was unveiled as Italy seeks to build broader support among EU member states for a faster and more predictable enlargement process.
Rome argues that bringing the Western Balkans closer to the EU should be treated as a political priority, while ensuring that countries joining the bloc are granted the same rights as existing members rather than being placed in a second-tier category.
Italy seeks stronger political momentum
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani brought together the foreign ministers of several Western Balkan countries and members of the EU’s “Friends of the Western Balkans” group at Villa Madama in Rome.
The group includes Italy, Austria, Croatia, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia, all of which support EU membership for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
Hungary took part in the meeting for the first time after being invited because of its backing for the region’s European integration.
The gathering followed a ministerial meeting in Bratislava two months earlier and was aimed at maintaining momentum behind the enlargement process as the EU prepares to advance accession negotiations with several candidate countries.
Charter rejects ‘second-class’ EU membership
The Rome Charter, backed by Italy, sets out principles that Rome wants to see reflected in future accession agreements.
A central element of the document is the principle that new EU members should enjoy full and equal membership rights once they join the bloc.
The charter argues against creating differentiated forms of membership or arrangements that would leave newly admitted countries with fewer rights than existing members.
It also calls for accession to have a clear and predictable end point, while opposing the introduction of additional conditions beyond the established enlargement framework.
According to the Italian Foreign Ministry, any transitional arrangements or safeguard mechanisms should be temporary, proportionate and based on clearly defined needs specific to each candidate.
“We are convinced of the need to give political priority to the reunification of the European family with the Balkans,” Tajani said.
Enlargement linked to strategic autonomy
Italy’s initiative goes beyond the question of accession dates. Rome is also seeking to connect the Western Balkans more closely to Europe’s broader strategy for economic security and strategic autonomy.
The discussions focused on transport infrastructure, energy networks, digital connectivity, food security and resilient supply chains.
Tajani highlighted projects ranging from the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) to Corridor VIII, reflecting Italy’s ambition to position the Western Balkans within a wider network connecting European markets with emerging trade routes.
For Rome, greater connectivity with the Balkans could strengthen Europe’s resilience while giving Italy a more prominent role as a link between the European Union, the Adriatic and the wider Indo-Mediterranean region.
EU enlargement moves on several fronts
The Italian push comes as the EU continues to advance accession talks with several candidate countries.
EU ambassadors have agreed to move ahead with Ukraine and Moldova by opening the external relations negotiating cluster, while Albania and Montenegro have also made progress with the provisional closure of negotiating chapters.
Further intergovernmental conferences involving Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro are expected in the coming weeks.
Serbia, however, remains a more difficult case. EU ambassadors have discussed opening three additional negotiating chapters, but member states have yet to reach an agreement.
Italy wants to shape the next phase
The Rome initiative gives Italy an opportunity to influence not only how quickly the Western Balkans move toward EU membership but also the conditions under which they eventually join.
Tajani said Italy intends to play a leading role in the process and emphasized the need for a clear strategic approach to enlargement.
The next challenge will be turning the Rome Charter into a broader EU position, particularly as Brussels manages several accession processes at the same time.
For Italy, the message is clear: Western Balkan enlargement should move forward more quickly, future members should receive full EU rights, and integration should form part of a wider European strategy focused on security, connectivity and economic resilience.
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