Bregu: Western Balkans should be EU's geopolitical priority

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu participated today in Sarajevo in an informal meeting of the Working Group on the Western Balkans (COWEB), convened by Romania as the President of the European Union (EU) Council in cooperation with the Chairman-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), currently held by Bosnia and Herzegovina, the RCC announced.

Bregu emphasized that regional cooperation is one of the greatest achievements of the Western Balkans, as it has so far brought two key benefits: stability, although often overused, it remains a key word for the region, and equally important practical benefits that affect the daily lives of citizens, such as, for example, the Regional Economic Area.

However, we still have a long way to go, accompanied by numerous challenges, the biggest of which is deepening regional cooperation in this time of uncertainty. On the other hand, regional cooperation continues to bring benefits, which 72 percent of Western Balkan citizens agree with. Therefore, a strong impetus from both sides is needed for us to succeed; the Western Balkans must be a geopolitical priority for the European Union, while on the other hand, the region must surpass itself in its efforts to become a quality partner in the enlargement process. The European Union is the most important force in the region for promoting democracy, the rule of law, respect for fundamental rights and minorities. The fact is that EU enlargement has had a great impact in the Western Balkan region, Bregu stated.

The informal meeting also discussed ways and methods to increase the efficiency of regional cooperation mechanisms in Southeast Europe, given that it is in the common interest of both the European Union and the region to develop deeper cooperation in Southeast Europe, as well as between the region and the EU, thereby ensuring stability and a better life for their citizens.

Political directors of the South-East European Cooperation Process and representatives of the European Union member states gathered at the meeting to jointly consider how best to utilize the structure and achievements of regional cooperation in Southeast Europe, in light of the European and Euro-Atlantic integration processes.

As a working group of the European Union Council, COWEB is responsible for issues concerning EU relations with the Western Balkan region: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo. The group deals with political and economic development, as well as stabilization and association processes, and regional cooperation.