Dealing with the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine, the migration issue and the accession perspective of the Western Balkan countries were discussed at the EU-Western Balkans Summit. The EU leaders reiterated their intention to intensify efforts to make use of the accession perspective of the Western Balkan countries, said today Government Spokesman Mr. Marios Pelekanos, referring to the proceedings of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in which President Nicos Anastasiades participated.
In a statement to the media, Pelekanos said that "the EU-Western Balkans Summit, which for the first time was held in a country of the region and, more specifically, in Tirana, the capital of Albania, has just concluded."
In a statement to the media, Pelekanos said that "the EU-Western Balkans Summit, which was held for the first time in a country of the region and, more specifically, in Tirana, the capital of Albania, has just concluded.
The participating leaders, he said, had the opportunity during the discussions to stress once again the importance of the strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans. A relationship, he added, which becomes even more important after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"During the Summit, the participating leaders had the opportunity to discuss ways to address the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine, which are endangering and increasing the challenges for all countries of the old continent, including the Western Balkan partners."
"During the Summit, the participating leaders had the opportunity to discuss ways to address the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine, which are endangering and increasing the challenges for all countries of the old continent, including the Western Balkan partners.
They also discussed, he said, the state of the EU's commitment to implement policies that will help strengthen the resilience of the Western Balkan countries to enable them to face the challenges of our time, such as, for example, migration, the fight against terrorism and organised crime, the resolution of regional conflicts and the resilience of the Western Balkan countries against foreign interference.
"As far as migration is concerned, our Western Balkan partners are called upon to manage the issue in such a way that the phenomenon of secondary migration flows from the Western Balkans to other EU countries is effectively addressed."
He noted that EU leaders also reiterated their intention to intensify efforts to take advantage of the accession perspective of the Western Balkan countries, on the basis of the principle of equality and given that these countries will work and accelerate the reforms foreseen under the accession processes, to the benefit of their economies and citizens.
"It should also be borne in mind that the European Council will be called on the 15th of this month to decide whether Bosnia and Herzegovina will be granted candidate country status, something on which Cyprus has expressed its agreement.
It is noted that on the sidelines of the meeting, the President of the Republic had separate bilateral contacts with the President of Serbia, the President of Montenegro, the head of the Presidential Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Prime Minister of Albania.
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