Support to Western Balkans region – EU leaders adopt 17-item Declaration in Sofia

The leaders of the European Union and its member states, in consultation with their Western Balkans partners, adopted a Declaration with 17 items in Sofia, in which they reaffirm their unequivocal support for the region’s European perspective and present the task and principles all sides should adhere to in the European integration process.

The Annex to the declaration concerning the strengthening of the bonds and the cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans was also adopted at the Sofia Summit.

– The EU welcomes the shared commitment of the Western Balkans partners to European values and principles, and to the vision of a strong, stable and united Europe, underpinned by our historic, cultural and geographic ties and by our mutual political, security and economic interests – says the first item of the document.

Recalling the Thessaloniki Summit of 2003, the EU reaffirms its unequivocal support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

– Building on the progress achieved so far, the Western Balkans partners have recommitted to the European perspective as their firm strategic choice, to reinforcing their efforts and mutual support. The credibility of these efforts depends on clear public communication – the Declaration says.

It is also said that the EU is determined to strengthen and intensify its engagement at all levels to support the region's political, economic and social transformation, including through increased assistance based on tangible progress in the rule of law, as well as in socio-economic reforms, by the Western Balkans partners.

– The EU welcomes the Western Balkans partners commitment to the primacy of democracy and the rule of law, especially the fight against corruption and organized crime, good governance, as well as respect for human rights and rights of persons belonging to minorities – the document says and adds that the effective implementation of reforms rests on these foundations and that civil society and independent media play a crucial role in the process of democratization.

The EU supports the Western Balkans partners pledge to continue strengthening good neighborly relations, regional stability and mutual cooperation.

Let us remind that the Summit of the leaders of the EU and the Western Balkans is being held at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, for the purpose of defining further measures for bringing the region closer to the European Union. Serbia is represented by President Aleksandar Vucic, who said in his introductory speech that Serbia continued to carry out the reforms in the process of European integration.

EU and Western Balkans Summit 2018

Sofia Declaration 2018

Annex to the Western Balkans Declaration

Declaration

European perspective of the region

European integration

Thessaloniki Summit 2003

Western Balkans leaders

Aleksandar Vucic