Marta Kos has stated that enlargement remains one of the European Union’s key priorities, emphasizing that all Western Balkan countries have a clear European perspective.
In a statement to the media ahead of the meeting between EU member states’ foreign ministers and their counterparts from the Western Balkans in Brussels, Kos said that important geopolitical issues and the region’s integration process would be discussed during the meeting.
“The message is very clear: there is room for all Western Balkan states in the European Union,” she declared.
The European Commissioner stressed that candidate countries must continue delivering reforms and concrete results, while adding that the European Union itself must also uphold its commitments to the enlargement process.
“Enlargement is a priority for the European Union and, if our candidates deliver results, then we must also deliver results,” Kos stated.
She also spoke about Montenegro’s progress on its path toward EU membership, announcing the creation of a working group for the country’s integration process. According to her, Montenegrin citizens continue to strongly support European integration.
As part of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, Kos announced that around €200 million will be disbursed in the coming days to Albania and Montenegro as part of the EU’s financial support for the region.
She also noted that Serbia recently joined the SEPA system, following Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia into the European payments mechanism.
The meeting in Brussels is taking place at a time when the European Union is increasing its focus on the Western Balkans amid geopolitical challenges and efforts to accelerate integration reforms across the region.
