During the summit in the area, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his name for six countries from the Western Balkans area to be admitted to the European Union as quickly as potential.
“It is evident that 20 years after the promise of the accession of those countries, it must occur quickly,” Scholz stated Monday in Tirana, the Albanian capital.
The countries in query are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated at the summit that she had despatched a powerful message of dedication to enlargement.
Access to the inside market needs to be elevated, however this additionally requires reforms, he stated. Those who’re prepared for reforms may also obtain funding funds from the EU.
All six countries are aiming for EU membership, however are at totally different phases of the course of.
“Our doors are open,” von der Leyen stated, including: “More needs to be done.” The economies of the EU and the Western Balkans are nonetheless too far aside, he argued.
The summit is beneath the auspices of the Berlin Process, initiated by Angela Merkel in 2014 when she was German chancellor. It is happening for the first time in the area.
