“Estonia firmly supports the accession of the Western Balkan countries to the European Union and the development of close relations with the area. In the changed security situation, we must cooperate more than before and support countries that share the same values and understandings about a Europe that is focused on the growth of the well-being of people,” said Prime Minister Kaja Kallas in Tirana.
According to the prime minister, the way to the EU membership is partnership. “European Union is the closest cooperation and trading partner to the Western Balkan countries and the main source of investments. The war that Russia started against Ukraine has made our cooperation and partnership more important than ever before,” noted Kallas. “During the meeting, we took important steps for bringing the European Union and the Western Balkan countries closer to each other, for example joining the EU single market, lowering roaming fees, providing access to education and youth programmes, participating in joint procurements of gas, and cooperating on security. Those are important agreements for speeding up the accession process of the countries in that area and for continuing with reforms,” the prime minister added.
At the summit, the billion-euro support measure of the European Union for the energy sector was confirmed, which supports the Western Balkan countries and companies in coping with high energy prices and investments in renewable and environmentally friendly energy carriers. The support measure is a part of the pre-accession assistance. The opening of the energy market and joint procurements of gas were also discussed.
The integration of the area with the EU single market was also discussed, and the gradual lowering of roaming fees between the EU and Western Balkan countries was agreed upon. The young people will have opportunities to participate in the projects of the Erasmus+ study mobility and the European Solidarity Corps. In addition, new projects under the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans and enhanced security and defence cooperation through the European Peace Facility were agreed upon.
Tirana Declaration: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2022/12/06/#:~:text=This%20is%20the%20first%2Dever,with%20a%20clear%20EU%20perspective
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stenbockimaja/sets/72177720304249462/
