Italy and 6 states,EU intensifies efforts for Balkan accession

(ANSA) - BRUXELLES, DEC 15 - "With Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and other challenges to our continent's security, the enlargement policy, one of the EU's most effective geopolitical tools, has received a new and strong impetus. In this regard, the Western Balkans will be the EU's geostrategic litmus test. " This is according to a letter from the foreign ministers of the group 'Friends of the Western Balkans, including Vice-Premier Antonio Tajani, addressed to the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, and the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, ahead of tomorrow's Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. "Only by integrating this region into the EU family," it further reads, "can we ensure the stability and prosperity of our continent. In the letter, viewed by ANSA, the ministers call in particular for "a clear agenda and timetable for the full implementation of the Growth Plan" for the region and "the advancement of the gradual integration into the single market and other EU policies" with the aim of providing "a tangible prospect of EU membership." To achieve this goal, Western Balkan partners are encouraged to "accelerate the necessary reforms" and call for "more regular and structured informal exchanges" especially in the area of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. The 'Friends of the Western Balkans' group also proposes "better targeting of funding" for accession, and stresses that "the necessary internal EU reform process" should advance "in parallel with the accession process" without, however, considering it a precondition for enlargement. Finally, the ministers say they are "in favor" of a Europe-wide communication campaign to explain the reasons, needs and benefits of this common geostrategic move." Established in June 2023, the 'Friends of the Western Balkans' group brings together Austria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovakia, Greece and Slovenia in addition to Italy, with the aim of promoting an acceleration of the region's European integration process.
    (ANSA).