Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, in Tivat, Montenegro, where the EU–Western Balkans summit is being held, said his country supports the region’s accession to the European Union.
“Strengthening Europe means its enlargement, and the Western Balkans are part of that project. Spain supports the path of the Western Balkan countries toward the European Union: more enlargement, more strength and more shared prosperity,” Sánchez said.
He emphasized that the European Union is incomplete without the Western Balkans, highlighting accession for Serbia.
“We will continue our support both for internal reforms and for the enlargement of the European Union toward the Western Balkans, including Serbia,” the Spanish prime minister added.
“We are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Spain’s accession to the European Union. Therefore, I believe the path of internal reforms in democracy, the rule of law, the social market economy and other fields is very important. All of this is reflected in our treaties,” Sánchez said.
Before the meeting began, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said enlargement of the Union would be one of the topics discussed at the summit.
In that regard, she praised two of the six Western Balkan countries for steps taken: Montenegro and Albania.
