TIRANA, July 11 /ATA/- The Chairman of the SP Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, participated in the International Symposium that is taking place in Athens.
Balla joined the panel “Repercussions of the war in Ukraine – A strategy to advance the EU accession of the Western Balkan countries,” alongside the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti and representatives from other countries of the region.
In his remarks, Balla said that holding the First Intergovernmental Conference with Albania, I also hope with North Macedonia, next week (July 19-20) is a good news.
“But let’s not forget that the opening of accession talks with two other countries in the region is not enough amid the new geo-political conditions after the unjustified and unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine,” said Balla.
According to him, failure to liberalize visas for Kosovo citizens by the EU damages the credibility of the EU.
“The holding of the First Intergovernmental Conference with Albania, I hope also with North Macedonia, next week (July 19-20) is a good news, but let’s not forget that the beginning of accession talks with two other countries in the region is not enough amid the new geo-political conditions after the unjustified and unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine. Meanwhile I do not understand why Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina are not given the status of a candidate country for EU accession. Failure to liberalize visas for citizens of Kosovo by the EU is another disgrace that damages the credibility of the EU”, said Balla.
While the Berlin Process, he underlined, for eight years is the right instrument for the normalization of relations and cooperation between the countries of the Western Balkans, the Open Balkan is the necessary instrument for the implementation on the ground of the four fundamental freedoms of the EU, guaranteeing the free movement of people, goods, capital and services.
“We have to bear in mind that out region is surrounded by the borders of the EU and is exposed to unfriendly actors,” stated Balla.
/sm/
