Leaders evaluate EU-Western Balkans Summit

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - The leaders of the Western Balkan countries evaluated the EU-Western Balkans Summit held in Brdo, hosted by Slovenia, the rotating EU presidency.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that some EU countries did not take kindly to the enlargement policy of the bloc.

"I think we have explained ourselves well with our determination and serious politics. We will improve our position in the EU in the coming period,” Vucic said.

"All I heard in these two days at the Summit is that there is a prospect of enlargement, but that not all member states have the same appetite for EU enlargement. But everyone has listened carefully to the main actors and understands that there are strategic EU interests in the region," he added.

Albanian President Ilir Meta emphasized that the messages from the summit were encouraging for the countries in the region.

"The EU accession negotiations of Albania and North Macedonia should be started as soon as possible. Visa liberalization should be applied to Kosovo as well," said Meta.

EU member Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said his country supports the accession process of the Western Balkans and that the future plans of the EU were clearly discussed at the summit.

North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev underlined the importance of full membership to the EU for the prosperity and security of the region.

He emphasized that the strong Western Balkans will contribute to the European economy.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zeljko Komsic said his country has gained "slight optimism" due to the events in recent years.

EU heads of state and government met the leaders of the six Western Balkans countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia – to discuss the future of their relations with the bloc.

EU leaders are expected to approve a €30 billion ($34.6 billion) economic and investment plan for the region.