The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, emphasized on Monday the urgent need to accelerate the integration of the Western Balkans into the European family, at a time when regional tensions are escalating. Speaking at a press conference following the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, Kallas delivered a strong message of support for Albania and Montenegro, describing them as positive models of integration reforms.
“Albania and Montenegro are making meaningful progress. I am confident that these two countries will be success stories in this process,” Kallas said, stressing that EU enlargement is vital for regional stability.
During her speech, she voiced concern about the growing geopolitical tensions in the Western Balkans and urged the EU to act swiftly on enlargement:
“The increase in tensions makes a concrete step in the enlargement process even more necessary. We need success stories and Albania is on the right track to become one.”
She also reaffirmed the EU’s desire to advance the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, while cautioning that:
“Many ministers stated that any participation in the May 9 parade in Moscow would be counterproductive for the Serbian side.”
According to the Vice-President of the European Commission, the rise in tensions highlights the need for a clear and tangible step forward in EU enlargement:
“We see tensions rising, and we definitely need to move forward with the enlargement process. This is something concrete and we truly need success stories,” Kallas concluded.
