The message that the Western Balkans belong to the European Union (EU) was sent by the participants in a discussion on the region in the context of the 7th Delphi Economic Forum, emphasizing that the current momentum should be used and the procedures should proceed immediately in order to open the road in this direction.
“I do not see any other future for the region than that of the EU,” said Miroslav Lajcak, the European Union’s special envoy for the Serbia-Kosovo Dialogue, stressing that the war in Ukraine, as tragic as it was, had a positive impact on the region. since not only did he not “awaken” the nationalist voices but, on the contrary, he silenced them.
“The war in Ukraine changed a lot of things that we took for granted,” Lajcak said, noting the need to take advantage of the current momentum, producing something tangible for the region. “We have all the ingredients, there is also the momentum, so let’s use them,” he said characteristically.
Commenting on the fact that the fatigue caused by the long stay of many countries in the region on the threshold of the EU can lead to Europe “losing” these countries and moving into the sphere of influence of other countries, he said that “we do not want to lose ourselves the Balkans “and for this reason a clear perspective should be given to the region, from which, as he noted, Europe wants to see more solutions than problems.
“We see our future as full members of the EU,” said Fatmir Bitiki, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of Northern Macedonia, noting that the Western Balkans are fully EU-owned and can contribute to strengthening its competitiveness but also in many other areas.
Mr. Bitiki also referred to the use of “courses” from other regions to strengthen the economy of the region and regional cooperation, while for the Prespa Agreement, he noted, among other things, that one should not see it only as a “tool” but as a model to reach an agreement and bring prosperity to stakeholders.
“The countries of the Western Balkans are tied to Europe, they are European and this bond cannot be broken,” said Gabriel Escobar, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, stressing the importance of moving. quickly the relevant procedures.
He stressed that from the experience of the participation of the countries of the Western Balkans in the EU, he can say that they are “good and stable partners”, and this is exactly what the Union can expect from the region, while he praised the possibilities existing for its development into a regional energy hub.
“The war has reminded us that the only way forward is for the Western Balkans to join the EU,” said Ambassador Kurt Volker, a Distinguished Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington. the principle of inclusion should apply and this process should apply to all countries in the region.
“The Balkans should be in alliance with Europe,” he said, referring to the region’s energy potential, the exploitation of which could lead to its energy independence from Russia.
In the same vein, the president of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Marko Čadež, noted that Europe’s “project” could not be completed without the accession of the Western Balkans to the EU. need to give a clear perspective to the region, while he estimated that if there is free movement of people and goods as a first step, political decisions will be much easier.
SOURCE: AMPE
Source: Capital
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