Written question – Extension of the EU’s ‘roam like at home’ area to the Western Balkans – E-002926/2025

Question for written answer  E-002926/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
András Gyürk (PfE), Annamária Vicsek (PfE), Tamás Deutsch (PfE), Csaba Dömötör (PfE), Viktória Ferenc (PfE), Kinga Gál (PfE), Enikő Győri (PfE), György Hölvényi (PfE), András László (PfE), Ernő Schaller-Baross (PfE), Pál Szekeres (PfE)

The countries of the Western Balkans are crucial partners for the European Union. The integration of the Western Balkans was identified as a priority for EU enlargement in 2003 and five countries have since been granted candidate status. This fact, as well as the meaningful contribution of the millions of citizens of these countries to the EU economy, demonstrates the region’s commitment to EU values and policies.

Therefore, it is concerning that while Ukraine’s inclusion in the EU’s roam like at home area is being fast-tracked to 1 January 2026, the same determination from the Commission seems to be missing for the Western Balkans. We firmly believe that the accession process to the EU should be merit-based and avoid the perception of double standards.

• 1.Does the Commission share our assessment that a fast-tracked inclusion of the Western Balkans into the roam like at home area would send a much needed positive signal to the citizens of the region?
• 2.Is the Commission ready to accelerate and complete the Western Balkans inclusion in the roam like at home area by 1 January 2026?

Submitted: 16.7.2025