The meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Western Balkans was organized at the invitation of the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Elizabeth Truss.

In her remarks, Minister Xhaçka said that this is a meeting that comes at a delicate moment for our region and that the attention of our allies is a guarantee for the advancement of the region on the path towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

During the meetings with senior officials Minister Xhaçka stressed that Albania is an important contributor to the stability and development of the region.

“I am proud that Albania is recognized by all allies in terms of the merit of being a factor of stability and an actress committed to Euro-Atlantic integration. The commitment of our allies is a condition for the success of this process,” Minister Xhaçka said.

According to Xhaçka, the allies are determined to open a new chapter of economic engagement with the Western Balkans. The Minister also commented on the “Open Balkans” initiative.

Xhaçka said that the “Open Balkans” is an inclusive economic and development space.

“During the meeting with the senior officials in London, as well as those of the US and the EU, the good news is their determination to open a new chapter of economic engagement with our region, increasingly seeing it as a single inclusive economic and development space, such as the one the “Open Balkans” initiative envisages, which enjoys international support and which in our opinion should be comprehensive, which means that we want Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro to become part of it.

This does not mean forcing them to unite against their will, while at this stage work is still in progress, but the 6 countries can join this single economic space linked together by the implementation of the 4 EU freedoms, human, economic, social and political, in order that their implementation prepare the countries towards EU integration,” Xhaçka added. //a.i/

The trio of the foreign policy underline that the European Union continues to be the best warrantor of peace, democracy and prosperity in the continent.

For more than 70 years, the European Union has helped European countries to overcome differences and strengthen the continent’s unity.

“However, we should not take the EU’s accomplishments for granted. The European Union must continue to respond to the challenges and move forward on the path to a better future,” the three foreign ministers said.

“The EU enlargement is one of the elements to build the future, based on a firm commitment and a shared vision. Guided by the values ​​of the Union and subject to clear conditions, enlargement has proven to be one of the most successful tools in promoting peace and stability, as well as political, economic and social reforms. Enlargement policy has also been essential to strengthening the European Union’s presence on the global stage, thus safeguarding our collective security. That is why we must continue walking on this path,” they said.

Western Balkans integration process

After the successful enlargement process to the south and east, the EU is continuing the integration process of the Western Balkans, a region located in the very heart of our continent. The region was offered the EU membership perspective for first time at the European Council held in Feira, June 2000, under the Portugal’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with the heads of state and government acknowledging that the Western Balkan countries participating in the stabilization and association process were potential candidates for EU accession. Since then, this principle, embodied in the “Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans” and reconfirmed in Sofia in 2018 and in Zagreb in 2020, has remained a cornerstone of EU policy towards the Western Balkan region.

Currently, the accession talks are under way with Montenegro and Serbia, while the Council agreed to open membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania in March 2020. The council also endorsed a new enlargement methodology to revitalize the membership process, making it more predictable and under a stronger political leadership.

The first political intergovernmental conferences were held with Montenegro and Serbia under the new enlargement methodology during the Council’s Portuguese Presidency.

Accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania

We are extremely concerned that we have yet to start accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, although the Council has decided this since March 2020. Both countries have delivered on a series of reforms and North Macedonia has invested an essential political capital for enlargement by changing even its name. It is the final time for the EU to deliver on its promises. The German and Portuguese Presidencies of the Council have worked hard to reach a compromise that would allow us to move forward, and the Slovenian Presidency will continue these efforts and advance the work done to date. We believe that bilateral issues should in no way impede progress in a step of such fundamental importance to both sides: the EU and the Western Balkans.

The enlargement process and the EU membership prospect is exactly what provides the best possible framework for overcoming divergent views among all the partners of the Western Balkans. That’s why, we will continue to work hard and call for a quick overcoming of the current deadlock, which is undermining the EU credibility and runs counter to our strategic interest in stability of the Western Balkans, so that we reach another important milestone on the road to sustainable stability and development in the Western Balkans as soon as possible.

In the meantime, the authorities and all political parties in North Macedonia and Albania should also pursue reforms and continue their efforts to strengthen democracy, fight corruption and strengthen the rule of law, good neighborly relations and regional co-operation while improving the climate for media freedom and civil society.

Common interest

The EU, as a union of different member states, each with its own traditions and history, would not succeed should it does not uphold its common values. Let’s take our three countries – Germany, Portugal and Slovenia, the current Trio Presidency of the EU. We have different histories and experiences. However, we rely on what Jean Monnet, one of the EU founding fathers once said: “Make people work together, show them that beyond their differences and geographic boundaries lies a common interest.” This common interest is a peaceful, strong and prosperous Europe, capable of preserving its interests and values ​​in an increasingly competitive world. To this end, the Western Balkans must become part of the European Union.

/u.sh/