The joint letter by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama for phased EU accession is a Trojan horse, according to Edward Joseph, professor at Johns Hopkins University and a longtime expert on Southeast Europe.

Behind this seemingly constructive initiative lies the desire to slow the enlargement process and advance domestic political goals, Joseph claims in an interview with Berliner Zeitung.

He warns that such initiatives could obstruct Montenegro s progress toward membership, providing arguments for skeptical countries. For Belgrade, the goal is to delay Montenegro s integration. Similar to how Putin views Ukraine s EU membership as a threat, Vucic would consider it a strategic defeat.

Joseph is harsh in his assessment of Serbia s European course: Serbia is not actually moving toward EU membership. In 12 years as a candidate, it has opened 22 of 35 chapters, while Albania opened all 35 in one year. Belgrade s declared EU aspiration is a farce.

He calls on Germany to clearly tell Vucic and Rama: No, thank you. The regional message should be clear - implement reforms and become full EU members.