The European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, stated that all Western Balkan countries should become full members of the EU, conveying that the goal is for the EU to become a tangible reality throughout the entire region.
These messages were conveyed at the Summit on the EU Growth Plan, held in Tirana, where the leaders of the Western Balkans and senior officials of the EU discussed economic reforms, integration, and the dynamics of the European path of the countries of the region.
After the session, a joint press conference was held by the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, and Commissioner Marta Kos.
The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, assessed the holding of the summit in Tirana as another successful European day for his country.
“We gathered at the summit of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, a forum intended to review what has been achieved between summits, assess the results of joint initiatives, and define new commitments. Today, I can say that we had a very fruitful meeting with concrete steps that further bring the region closer to the EU. I confirm once again that the new EU Growth Plan is a fast and safe bridge to the single market,” Rama said.
He added that discussions were also held on industrial integration in the value chain within the EU, as well as on the potential of tourism.
Rama called the opening of all negotiating chapters in Albania’s accession negotiations a historic moment.
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos emphasized that the Growth Plan is key to the progress of the region, stressing that the Union wants to become a concrete, everyday reality for the citizens of the Western Balkans.
“Today we held open discussions in order to accelerate implementation and make the Growth Plan a success story that delivers tangible results. All Western Balkan countries belong to the EU and should be its full-fledged part,” Kos stated.
She emphasized that every day should be used to work on the European future of the region.
At the end of the summit, it was announced that the EU and the World Bank are approving a grant worth 54 million euros for the safe and sustainable transport program, as part of a broad support package for strengthening infrastructure in the region.
Alongside Prime Minister Rama and Commissioner Kos, the Summit on the Growth Plan was also attended by the acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, the Prime Minister of Serbia, Djuro Macut, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajic, and the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Borjana Kristo.
The summit was held under the slogan “Our path to the EU” and was focused on deepening economic integration, accelerating reforms, and transforming the Western Balkans towards full alignment with the single European market, AA writes.
