EU: Main message of the Tirana summit is support for Western Balkan countries' membership

(Patria) - Ahead of the EU–Western Balkans summit in Tirana, European officials in Brussels emphasise that the main message of the meeting will be unequivocal support for the region's EU membership and a call to accelerate the accession process.

The fact that the summit with the Western Balkans is taking place for the first time in one of the region's countries is a symbol of the "strengthened partnership between the EU and the region at a time of conflict in Ukraine," EU officials stress ahead of the summit.

"The focus of the talks will be on solidarity, which goes in two directions. We will reiterate the importance of partners aligning with our common measures, including sanctions, but we also want to help in various ways to mitigate the economic consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict," EU representatives state.

EU leaders support the idea of gradual integration of the region

In the summit declaration, which RTS had access to, EU leaders support the idea of gradual integration of the region, already during the accession phase, announce financial aid of one billion euros to mitigate the effects of the energy crisis, and emphasise the importance of the EU-Western Balkans partnership in light of the conflict in Ukraine.

The agreed joint declaration also calls for enhanced integration of the region with the EU's common market and announces the abolition of roaming between EU countries and the Western Balkans.

At the same time, the EU calls on the countries of the region to adhere to "fundamental European values and principles, in accordance with international law," the principles of democracy and the rule of law, and to speak out more clearly in public about the benefits of the partnership with the EU.

According to announcements from the EU, the summit will specifically discuss an aid package for the region's energy sector amounting to one billion euros in grants and a potential 2.5 billion euros in investments.

This package "will help the region mitigate the consequences of the crisis and accelerate the energy transition," the declaration text states, highlighting that "500 million will go directly as emergency aid to households and small businesses, while the other 500 million will be grant support for energy independence, transition, and improvement of gas and electricity infrastructure."

Declaration on reducing roaming prices expected to be signed

At the summit, a joint declaration by operators from the EU and the Western Balkans on the gradual reduction of roaming prices will also be signed, starting from 2023, with the aim of eventually completely abolishing the costs.

As examples of the gradual integration of the region with the EU already during the accession phase, European officials cite the agreement on abolishing roaming, the agreement on a joint platform for purchasing energy, and note that work on new modalities is underway.

"The Czech Presidency of the EU has presented a document proposing practical ways to link the fulfilment of benchmarks for opening and closing certain chapters with closer ties to the EU in a specific area."

European officials expect that EU leaders at the summit will call on partners in the Western Balkans to adhere to "fundamental European values and principles in accordance with international law" and will emphasise the importance of respecting the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime, support for human rights, minority rights, and gender equality."