The issue of reconciliation relates to the entire region. Recently approved EU Enlargement Strategy for the Western Balkans, clearly says “that regional cooperation and good neighborhood relations are of crucial importance for the progress in the EU integration,” EU High Representative Spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic told Danas daily.
The future of the Balkans looks far brighter today than many would have predicted two decades ago.
The Balkan wars left more than 100,000 dead and caused millions to flee their homes. The region’s economies lay in ruins, and many of our best and brightest left in droves to seek a better future elsewhere. Political leaders from opposing sides did not trust each other, and had no real vision for the future.
The European Commission’s new enlargement strategy offers support for Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia - but insists they must step up reforms and fully embrace EU values if they hope to join.
The European Commission launched its new enlargement strategy for the Western Balkans on Tuesday, offering help for all six EU aspirant states but insisting that all the membership hopefuls implement reforms and make a clear commitment to the “fundamental values” of the European bloc in return.
You were expecting a welcome mat? Here’s a bucket of cold water instead.
The European Commission’s new strategy for the Western Balkans holds out the prospect that two countries from the region, Serbia and Montenegro, could “potentially” be ready to join the EU by 2025. It also offers increased support for the four other would-be members from the region that was engulfed by war and civil strife in the 1990s.
Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Tuesday EU's enlargement strategy for the Western Balkans "considers Serbia as a leader."
According to her remarks published by the Serbian Government, Brnabic also "noted that Serbia will continue to implement reforms faster, while regional cooperation will still be a priority."
The EU will on Tuesday officially unveil its enlargement strategy for the Western Balkans, which has been speculated about for days.
It will be heard today whether any dates will be mentioned.
Russia would like to see greater engagement of the OSCE in Kosovo, in order to resolve all remaining issues in line with the UN SC Resolution 1244, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov said, Sputnik reported.
Lavrov said he has agreed with the Italian Foreign Minister, Angelino Alfano, who is also the Chairperson of the OSCE, to support with joint efforts activities of this international organization in the Balkans, primarily in Kosovo.
Former US official who caused a storm with his statements, Brian Hoyt Yee, is no longer listed as an employee of the US State Department, Sputnik is reporting.
The website also said that Yee told Greek media no decision had been made to appoint him as US ambassador in one of the Balkan countries - something Serbian media previously often speculated about.
Prime Minister Ana Brnabic took part on Wednesday in a meeting of the group "New Leaders for Europe" within the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The Serbian government announced this, quoting Brnabic as saying that "the Balkans needs Europe, but that the Balkans is also needed by Europe."
Brnabic said that European integration of the countries of the Western Balkans is an important factor for the future of the region.
According to her, the responsibility for this lies with the European Union because it was not sufficiently engaged in the region.
"There is a (foreign) influence, it is our fault, we are not sufficiently present and engaged in the Western Balkan countries," Zaharieva told European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, Beta reported, quoting Radio Free Europe.