Future of Western Balkans lies in European Union

  • 2022-06-26
  • BNS/TBT Staff

TALLINN - The faster integration of the Western Balkan region into the European Union and the activities preceding it were discussed at a meeting of the leaders of the European Union and the Western Balkans in Brussels on Thursday, with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas saying that the future of the Western Balkans lies in the EU.

According to Kallas, it is geopolitically important for Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania to integrate into the European Union as soon as possible. "Estonia has been supportive of the Western Balkans joining the European Union and, especially in light of the war in Ukraine, specific messages must be given on how to proceed," the prime minister said.

She added that Estonia supports initiatives that include the Western Balkans as future members of EU policies, such as food and energy security, greening, the future of young people and increasing cyber security. "Estonia has shown an initiative where the e-Governance Academy conducts a study on cyber security in the Western Balkans, and last week the Western Balkans Digital Security Forum took place in Tallinn," Kallas said.

On Thursday and Friday, the summit of the leaders of the European Union continued in Brussels, where, among other things, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia's applications for accession to the European Union, support for Ukraine, economic issues and the future of Europe were discussed.