Brussels, 29/08/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 28 August, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso stated that the goal of Germany and the Commission is for the all Western Balkan countries to join the EU. “Our common goal is clear. We want to see the Western Balkan countries ultimately join the European Union”, he said at the end of a conference in Berlin on the Western Balkans. Barroso added that “yes”, there is a real outlook for these Western Balkan countries joining the EU. “This is in our joint political, economic and geo-strategic interest. This is the right way to defend the long-term prosperity of all the citizens in our European family”, he said.
While underlining that new accessions were not imminent, Barroso said that they “will happen over time”. “We don't want to leave any doubt about it”, he stated. He reiterated the importance for these countries of making reforms, and also the importance of regional cooperation and integration.
“All the Western Balkan countries strongly believe that their future is in the European Union”, said the final statement of the conference. “All the Western Balkan countries will have the opportunity to join the European Union if they meet the accession conditions”, it went on.
“For us, on the outside, the EU is not just a success. It's an inspiration and a hope for a better future”, said Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama. However, he acknowledged that his country still had a long way to go before becoming a member of the EU.
Barroso recalled that the EU had earmarked €12 billion in pre-accession assistance for the 2014-2020 period - including €2 million for regional projects.
The conference participants decided to meet in the same format every year for the next four years. The 2015 conference is due to be held in Austria. (CG)