EU leaders reiterated their intention to intensify efforts for the realization of the accession perspective of the Western Balkan countries, Government Spokesman Marios Pelecanos said today, referring to the EU-Western Balkans Summit, which was attended by President of the Republic Mr. In a statement to the media, Mr Pelecanos 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.
During the discussions, the participating leaders had the opportunity to stress once again the importance of the strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans. A relationship that 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.
They also discussed the state of play 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 migration, the fight against terrorism and organised crime, the resolution of regional conflicts and the resilience of the Western Balkan countries against foreign interference.
With regard to migration, 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.
EU leaders also reiterated their intention to intensify efforts to make the most of the accession perspective of the Western Balkan countries, on the basis of the principle of equality and provided that these countries will work and accelerate the reforms foreseen under the accession processes, to the benefit of their economies and citizens.
It should not be forgotten that the European Council will be called on the 15th of this month to decide on the extent to which Bosnia and Herzegovina will be granted candidate status, for 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.
(RM/SX)
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