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The leader of the European liberals, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, hosted a roundtable in Brussels with European Commissioners, Members of the European Parliament, leaders of liberal parties from the Western Balkans, diplomats, and civil society representatives to discuss EU integration and enlargement policy.
“The strength of Europe lies in the unity of the countries that geographically and by values belong to the EU. The countries of the Western Balkans deserve to become part of this civilizational space, and we, as representatives of the EU member states, should not remain passive. The Union will only be complete when the Western Balkans join it,” Kyuchyuk said at the opening of the roundtable.
“Enlargement continues to be the best geopolitical investment in peace and security in Europe. The war in Ukraine has once again shown us how important it is to invest in the integration of the Western Balkans, but also that such public expressions of support are more important than ever, as recent campaigns trying to create divisions have been very strong. The main goal of the EU enlargement policy is to unite the countries in a common political and economic project that, in times of constant crises and challenges, will stand in solidarity with all,” he added.
According to European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, despite all the challenges faced by the Western Balkans, the rule of law remains at the center of the EU accession negotiations. He emphasized that implementing the recommendations of the Venice Commission is key to successfully achieving legal reform in the countries of the Western Balkans.
European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič pointed out that the war in Ukraine is proof that the Western Balkans can be full-fledged members of the European family, as they have provided humanitarian and military support to the war-torn country.
The event also addressed the current state of the accession process, viewed through the lens of the war in Ukraine, with the participation of the ambassadors of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia to the EU.
Тази публикация е достъпна и на следните езици: Bulgarian
