EU chief says Balkan nations must reform to join bloc

The head of the European Union has wrapped up a tour of the Western Balkans with a warning that joining the bloc depends entirely on legal reforms and regional diplomacy.

European Council President Antonio Costa made the statement in Serbia, his final stop after visiting Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Speaking alongside Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Costa stated that Serbia must fix its election laws, update its courts, and improve relations with Kosovo to achieve membership. Vucic stated that Belgrade would comply with the legal demands.

The diplomatic tour concludes ahead of a regional summit in Tivat, Montenegro, tomorrow.