19/12/2024 (Agence Europe) – The European People’s Party (EPP) published a statement on Thursday 19 December, the day after the summit which brought together the leaders of the EU and the Western Balkans (see EUROPE 13548/8). The centre-right group recommends the rapid integration of the candidate countries into the EU, which “is not complete” without them, they believe. Echoing the statements made by European leaders, they affirm that “the EU integration of the Western Balkan region is today, more than ever before, a geopolitical necessity (...), it is an investment in our own security and stability”. The group stresses the urgent need to fill in the “grey zones” and strengthen Europe’s resilience, particularly in the face of common migratory and security crises. Here again, the EPP reaffirms its support for the concept of a meritocratic process based on precise steps forward in order to avoid internal blockages. See the statement: https://aeur.eu/f/evv (IS)