TIRANA, Sept 2 /ATA/ – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Monday that she will appoint a dedicated Commissioner for Enlargement, stressing the importance of EU enlargement to the Western Balkans.
Addressing the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovevia, the EC President stated that enlargement is an investment in Europe’s collective strength and security.
Von der Leyen noted enlargement has returned to the top of the EU’s political agenda during her first term at the European Commission.
“I want our work to speed up even more. In the next Commission, enlargement must be a full-time job that allows undivided attention. This is why I will appoint a dedicated Commissioner for Enlargement,” she said.
However, EC President underlined that reforms will determine also the time when Western Balkan countries will join the European Union.
She also commented on the Russian influence in the region.
“The current Russian leadership, living in the past, refuses to accept this simple reality. Whenever there is progress towards reconciliation and regional integration in the Western Balkans, the Kremlin tries to stir up old conflicts. Russia is constantly at work to sow division – inside the Western Balkans and between the Western Balkans and the rest of Europe,” Von der Leyen said.
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