The EU and the Western Balkans strengthen their strategic partnership
Speaking at the post-EU-Western Balkans Summit press conference in Tirana, the Albanian capital, EU Council President Charles Michel said: “This is a historic summit. This is a summit that truly made history.” He pointed out that the EU-Western Balkans Summit was held for the first time in one of the Western Balkans countries, not on the territory of the EU.
Emphasizing the EU’s commitment to the Western Balkans membership on the condition of carrying out reforms on certain issues, Michel said that in recent days, the region has significantly aligned itself with the EU’s visa policy.
The President of the European Council said: “Many of us have decided to speed up the accession process for the Western Balkans. The war in Ukraine has amply demonstrated this.” he used his statements.
EUR 1 BILLION ENERGY SUPPORT FROM THE EU
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said there was a “very clear message of unity” at the summit, saying the effects of the war in Ukraine, energy, migration and education were discussed. .
Expressing that the EU will provide 1 billion euro energy support to the Western Balkans, half of which will be direct budget support and the other half will be infrastructure support, von der Leyen stressed that infrastructure support will be directed to renewable energies, connections and investments in energy efficiency.
Von der Leyen stated that they attach special importance to energy efficiency and have approved 40 projects worth 1.8 billion euros in areas such as transport, water and wastewater management.
AFFILIATION PROCESS, THE FIGHT AGAINST IRREGULAR MIGRATION AND COOPERATION IN EDUCATION
Von der Leyen said: “We wholeheartedly support the enlargement process. Regional integration has come a long way this year.” he said.
Recalling that the first intergovernmental conferences were held with Albania and North Macedonia and that Bosnia and Herzegovina was granted candidate status, von der Leyen said: “I reiterate our commitment to your management of border, immigration and immigration asylum. We’re in this together, and we need to tackle this together.” He made the assessment of him.
Von der Leyen pointed out that, as of today, the universities of the Western Balkans have been included in the EU system and that the way has been paved for students from the region to study at EU universities, both physics as remotely.
MESSAGE “FOLLOW THE FOREIGN POLICY OF THE EU”
In the final declaration of the summit, in light of the war launched by Russia in Ukraine and the threat it poses to the region, it was underlined that strategic cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans and the EU’s commitment to enlargement of the region were emphasized.
The statement indicated that the countries of the region must carry out the expected reforms in the areas of rule of law, independence of the judiciary, fight against corruption and organized crime, human rights, minority rights, equality of gender, strong civil society, independence and pluralism of the media, and respect for freedom of expression.
It was stated that the EU expects all countries in the region to act in harmony with the EU’s common foreign policy and restrictive measures. (AA)