The timing of today’s summit could not have been better. It was the first meeting I chaired as President of the European Council. This highlights the political priority that enhancing cooperation with the Western Balkans has for me and for the European Union.
We are sending a strong signal with the Brussels Declaration that we adopted today. And I am glad that the Western Balkans partners aligned with it. So I would like to express my satisfaction that we have agreed on a declaration that is different from those of previous summits, more concise, and that can be more easily understood by citizens.
During today’s summit, it was clearer than ever that the European Union and the Western Balkans belong to the same European family. The Western Balkans’ place is at the heart of our European project.
Although this summit was not about enlargement, it is also clearer than ever that enlargement is our common driving force. It is a fact that each country that has joined the European Union is much more prosperous thanks to its membership. This is Europe’s prosperity promise.
Enlargement is also the best geostrategic investment in our peace, security, and stability that we all can make. And gradual integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union is already advancing, in a merit-based way.
Today’s declaration underscores the fact that our Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is a real gamechanger. Citizens in the region will see a doubling of economic growth translated into new jobs and better services over the next decade.
There is no other region in the world into which the European Union has invested so many resources – financial resources, human resources and expertise.
This is how more integration builds real strategic partnership. A strategic partnership that sees the Western Balkans aligned with the European Union in condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression, and support for Ukraine, including military support. And a strategic partnership in which we reinforce security and resilience in the Western Balkans, through the European Peace Facility.
The European Union is already the biggest economic partner of and investor in the Western Balkans. It is and will remain their most reliable partner for the future.
We all know that some challenges persist. Bilateral disputes and neighbourhood dilemmas still need to be addressed. We need to stay focused on credible and sustainable reforms. And accession will be merit-based.
Tonight we heard about the frustrations from the region, but I believe we can overcome them. Together.
We now have a new momentum. We have seen significant progress in the past year, particularly in Montenegro and Albania. And during this summit, I noticed a collective sense of responsibility and a new drive to work harder and faster. So we should use the new momentum to the fullest and create all the conditions necessary for enlargement. Because there is no doubt that the future of the Western Balkans is in our Union. Thank you.