Brussels, 02/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 2 December, foreign affairs ministers from Western Balkan countries: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia underlined the importance of developing the spirit of the Balkans region.
The Albanian minister, Ditmir Bushati, said that the Western Balkans region does not yet have a sufficiently high economic, political or security level and added that they needed to give the region a “true substance and more economic projects”. His counterpart from Montenegro, Igor Luksic, also pointed out that the region was counting on, “stronger economic support from the EU in the region, as well as support for infrastructure and improved connections to guarantee comprehensive economic growth”. Enver Hoxhaj from Kosovo, said that the region was facing two challenges: bilateral questions that were still pending, including the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, which he hoped would be done within 3 to 5 years, with a “peace agreement” and shortcomings affecting economic development, investment, infrastructure and the rule of law, particularly with regard to the fight against corruption, minority rights and the media.
Nonetheless, a regional spirit is continuing to develop. The minister from Bosnia, Zlatko Lagumdžija, considered that cooperation between the six countries “had never been better”. This was confirmed by his Kosovan counterpart who explained that “our relations have evolved. They were hostile and have become amiable. There is interaction between our governments, people and economies. This is a sign of stability and a promising future”. Luksic stressed that “we are fully committed to regional cooperation and understand the need to step up our efforts to develop understanding and reconciliation”. He also highlighted the need for cooperation in the fight against corruption, organised crime, developing business confidence and improving energy interconnection networks. Nikola Poposki from Macedonia explained that his country had good relations with neighbouring member states, including Bulgaria and Greece, with which, despite the question of the name, relations were “excellent” at a practical level.
Hoxhaj said that developments in the situation in Balkan countries have been possible thanks to EU support and technical and financial assistance. He explained that the EU “had brought peace in our region, facilitated regional cooperation and helped settle problems”. His Serbian counterpart, Ivica Dacic, said that the EU had “proved its strength by helping solve problems in the Western Balkans”. (CG)