EU should not set date for enlargement on Western Balkans, Merkel says

BRDO, Slovenia (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday rejected calls to set a date for the accession of Western Balkans countries into the European Union.

“I don’t really believe in setting dates, I believe in making good on our promises: Once the conditions are met the accession can take place,” Merkel told reporters after the EU’s Balkans summit in Slovenia.

A deadline would put the EU under pressure, no matter if Western Balkans fulfilled the conditions set out by the 27-nation bloc or not, she said.