The SP General Secretary, Damian Gjiknuri, stated that 2030 should be a target for the Western Balkans to join the EU.

In his address to the conference, Gjiknuri underlined that the EU should start accession negotiations to give the right perspective to the countries of the Western Balkans.

“The future of this region lies in Europe. Let us use this opportunity to persuade European policymakers. If you leave things unresolved, if you leave things for the future, then the past will come back to haunt us. I believe that the time has come for every politician to realize that stability of Europe in the future is related to inclusion of the Balkans as a key priority. We must act now, we must not wait any longer. Let the negotiations begin and let us give the right perspective to the Western Balkans. 2030 is just a number, but I believe it should also be a target for the Western Balkans to join the European Union,” he said.

In her remarks, Deputy Minister of Interior, Romina Kuko said that, “today’s meeting is a new format, which we believe will be replicated in other Balkan countries,” adding that the highlight of discussions will be ideas and thoughts about the future given the new realities that are playing out in the region. ”

Gjiknuri said that the atrocities in Ukraine bring to mind that things we tend to forget will continue to haunt us. What is happening today reminds us how important the stability and the future of this region are.

Gjiknuri stressed that, if issues are left unresolved, things can develop in ways that no one would want, so I think this is a great lesson for all to act now rather than leave them for later. ”

/r.e/sm/