During the meeting of Western Balkan Foreign Ministers (WB6) in Sarajevo, the Director General of the Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Directorate General Christian Danielson noted that this gathering is being held in the context of the new EU strategy, which includes very clear principles for Western Balkans countries in their efforts to join the European community.
Danielson emphasized that reconciliation is a very important among the three rules in that strategy. These countries must follow the aforementioned strategy if they want to become part of the EU one day. He added that the other two rules remain – the reform that should lead to the rule of law, as well as the necessary economic reform.
Participants of this meeting emphasized the key importance of regional cooperation in all three areas, said Danielson.
Mr. Danielson added that they also discussed investments in the infrastructure in the region, specifically the construction of Corridor 5C in BiH, as well as investments in digitization and creation of much better conditions for economic development. They also discussed security issues as well as the fight against corruption and crime in the region.
According to him, his main task at the meeting was to express strong support to the efforts that are predicted in the new strategy.
Positive ideas for improvement of regional cooperation were especially noted at the meeting.
“We want to bring that entire process into an unstoppable phase. Connection of regional countries based on economic projects is very important, and we also want some concrete measures in order for citizens to feel the real, positive difference,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Ekatarina Zaharieva.
Zaharieva announced that the upcoming summit in Sofia will try to further strengthen the European perspective of the Western Balkan region.
The participants confirmed their commitment to stronger regional cooperation in a joint statement, and noted that they continue to appreciate the commitment of the EU to support stability and strengthen political and economic connections with and within the region. They supported the unequivocal support of the EU to the European perspective for the Western Balkans, as noted in the document of the European Commission ” Perspectives for Enlargement and Improvement of EU engagement with the Western Balkans”.
(Source: klix.ba)
