TIRANA, Nov 3 /ATA/ – By I.Vata/ German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated on Thursday that the EU will support the Western Balkans and finance 1 billion euros for energy.
At the joint press conference in Berlin, alongside Prime Minister Edi Rama and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Scholz hailed the efforts of the Western Balkan countries to join the EU.
He said that at the meeting for the Berlin Process, the countries of the Western Balkans have signed important agreements that will improve life in the region.
“I want to congratulate the countries of the Western Balkans for their serious efforts to join the European Union as soon as possible and also to move forward. These three agreements will make it possible for citizens of the region to cross the border using the identity cards, as well as to ensure mutual recognition of university degrees and professional qualifications. In very concrete terms, to improve the lives of individuals in the region and make the region more united,” he said.
Regarding energy, Scholz said that “an important agreement has been signed between the countries of the Western Balkans to work more closely in the field of energy and security as well, on climate protection measures, in order to reach the 2030 goal. ”
Scholz emphasized that “we and the other participants of the Berlin Process will continue to support the members of the Western Balkans in the medium and long term, also to help them in the field of energy and focus on renewable energy. Germany will provide this assistance through its KfW bank with loans of up to 200 million euros and in the medium term up to 1 billion euros to shorten the transition to green energy.
He emphasized that we should work together towards this.
“The summit has shown that there is will to cooperate, so Germany will support this process in the future. Even the EU supports this process, especially the European Commission,” said Scholz.
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