The aim is an accelerated and gradual integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU. The “Friends of the Western Balkans” met in Rome on Monday. On the sidelines of the meeting, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said: “The EU is not complete without these states.”
At the same time, Schallenberg says: “The problems of the Balkans will sooner or later also be our problems, be it in the areas of security, migration or organized crime. That is why the stability and security of the region is such a central concern for me.”
The initiative launched by Schallenberg is also welcomed by the European Commission. “Either we export our model of life, our economic model, our rule of law, or we risk importing instability because other, autocratic forces suddenly become the dominant force,” Schallenberg explained on Monday.
Long list of participants
In addition to Schallenberg, the foreign ministers of Greece, Croatia, Slovakia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia took part in the meeting on Monday, chaired by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. The Deputy Foreign Ministers of Slovenia and the Czech Republic were also present.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
