Italy has described 2026 as a decisive year for EU enlargement, placing the Western Balkans back at the centre of its European agenda. But what makes the coming year so significant?
“2026 is a decisive year.” With these words, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the European integration of the Western Balkans during the launch of Italy’s Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR).
Describing the reunification of the Western Balkans with the European Union as “the greatest strategic investment Europe can make,” Tajani also reiterated that enlargement remains “an absolute strategic priority” for both the Italian Government and Italian foreign policy. His remarks presented enlargement not simply as a political objective, but as part of a broader strategy centred on regional cooperation, connectivity and economic development.
Italy’s vision for the Adriatic-Ionian region
As Italy takes over the Presidency of EUSAIR for the next twelve months, Rome intends to strengthen cooperation between European institutions, national governments, regional authorities and civil society.
Established by the European Union in 2014, EUSAIR is the EU’s macro-regional strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian area. It brings together four EU Member States—Croatia, Greece, Italy and Slovenia—alongside San Marino and five EU candidate countries—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia—to promote cooperation in areas including transport, energy, environmental sustainability and economic development.
As Tajani stated, the goal is to make the Adriatic-Ionian area “an increasingly dynamic driver of growth and a key economic, logistical and energy hub between Europe and the wider Mediterranean.”
Why connectivity is central to enlargement
One of the strongest messages of Tajani’s speech concerned infrastructure. He described European transport corridors as “tools for economic and political integration,” highlighting their role in improving trade flows, strengthening supply chains and bringing the Western Balkans closer to the European Union.
Among the projects mentioned was Corridor VIII, part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), which connects the Adriatic Sea with the Black Sea through Albania, North Macedonia and Bulgaria. Tajani also highlighted the importance of Corridor X, another major European transport route linking Central Europe with Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia and Greece. Together, these corridors are designed to facilitate the movement of people and goods while supporting regional economic integration.
Italy also reiterated its support for the proposed Trieste–Ljubljana–Zagreb–Belgrade railway, presented as part of its broader vision to strengthen regional connectivity, and for the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the international connectivity initiative aimed at strengthening trade links between Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Within this framework, Tajani underlined the strategic role that Trieste and the Northern Adriatic port system could play as gateways connecting European and global markets.
Enlargement remains a strategic priority
Later the same day, speaking before Parliament, Tajani reiterated Italy’s support for Ukraine’s future accession to the European Union while stressing that the Western Balkans should not lose momentum in the enlargement process.
He also identified Montenegro and Albania as the countries currently making the most advanced progress towards EU membership, reaffirming Italy’s commitment to supporting their accession path.
Whether 2026 ultimately becomes a turning point will depend on the pace of reforms in candidate countries and on the political will of EU Member States. For now, however, Italy has clearly placed enlargement back at the heart of its European agenda, supported by stronger regional cooperation, improved connectivity and long-term strategic investment.
Sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Ministers Tajani and Foti launch Italy’s Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), 28 July 2026.
- ANSA, “Tajani: 2026 will be a decisive year for the strategy on the Balkans”, 28 July 2026.