Marta Kos, Member of the European Union (EU) Commission Responsible for Enlargement, said that the Western Balkan countries belong to the Union.
The EU Growth Plan Summit, themed “Our Path Towards the EU”, was held in Tirana, the capital of Albania.
The summit hosted by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama was attended by EU Commission Member Responsible for Enlargement Kos, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, North Macedonia President Hristijan Mickoski, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic, Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut and Bosnia and Herzegovina Council of Ministers President Borjana Kristo.
After the summit, Rama and Kos held a joint press conference.
In his speech, Kos said, “All countries in the Western Balkans belong to the European Union.” he said.
Emphasizing that they want the EU to become a concrete reality in the Western Balkan countries, Kos said that at the summit, open discussions were held on ways to accelerate the implementation of the Growth Plan and how this process can be turned into a success story for the citizens of the Western Balkans.
Kos stated that the EU will go further by including the Western Balkan countries in its efforts to protect democracy and EU values.
“I will have the privilege of making Albania a member of the EU”
Albanian Prime Minister Rama also said, “This is who we are, this is who I am, and I will remain this way until the day I have the privilege of making Albania a member of the EU.” he said.
Referring to Albania’s opening of all chapters of EU membership negotiations, Rama pointed out that one of the main reasons for this is that his country is seriously fighting against corruption and organized crime.
Stating that the results of joint initiatives were evaluated at the summit and new commitments were emphasized for the Western Balkan countries to follow in detail the task schedule they have undertaken regarding the New Growth Plan, Rama said, “The New Growth Plan is a fast and safe bridge towards the European common market.” he said.
Following the summit, it was announced that the EU and World Bank grant worth 54 million euros for the safe and sustainable transportation program was approved.
