Brussels, 6 June 2017 – MEP Željana Zovko participated today in the Sixth Conference on the Western Balkans “EU – Western Balkans: Challenges and Opportunities“, organized by the EPP Group in the European Parliament. Leaders from the Western Balkans countries, EPP members, gathered at the Conference to discuss the challenges their countries face on their accession path to the EU.
In addition to the organiser, MEP Mariya Gabriel, the Conference participants included the EPP President, Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Manfred Weber, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, Foreign Affairs Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Igor Crnadak, State Secretary for European Integration of Montenegro, Aleksandar Andrija Pejović, Minister of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia, Jadranka Joksimović, Macedonian VMRO-DPMNE President, Nikola Grujevski and Deputy Chairman of the Democratic League from Kosovo, Lufti Haziri.
On this occasion, the EPP Group once again confirmed its undoubtful support to the European perspective of the Western Balkans and committed to strengthening the political dialogue with its partners in the Western Balkans.
MEP Zovko pointed out in her speech to idea and compromise as grounds on which the Europe was built. She appealed to the EU to additionally strengthen its presence in this area in order to repel populists and non-European countries which strive for stronger influence. She further pointed out to the current issues of migrations and potential threats to security brought by flammable public speech.
“Difficult times call for responsible and brave leaders who can extend the hand of reconciliation and go that one step forward.“ – as of Zovko.