Brussels 18 June 2020,
During its plenary session, the European Parliament gave its final approval for the recommendations to the EU-Western Balkan Summit. The document sends a strong message to the Western Balkan countries of continuing support for a European perspective. Member of the European Parliament and EPP Vice-coordinator for the Committee on foreign affairs Željana Zovko welcomes the adoption of the report.
Zovko reiterated that the Zagreb summit on WB6 was the main event during the Croatian Presidency. “Croatia showed to be a true leader in the EU and a partner for the Western Balkans.” According to Zovko, Croatia also showed an important signal by emphasizing the need for a cooperative region and that Croatia is the most affected EU Member State by actual and potential instability in the Western Balkans.
The report stresses the solidarity of the European Union and the countries in the region in the corona pandemic. “As an example of our close connection with the region, The EU has mobilised over €3.3 billion for Western Balkans and showed their special relationship with the region by granting access to additional European Support instruments”.
Zovko also mentioned that it is important to take the recommendations of the European Parliament into consideration. “The European Parliament is still the biggest advocate for an accession of the Western Balkan countries and gives these recommendations with the aim to enhance the European integration,” she stated.