Tonight, the leaders of the European Union and the Western Balkans adopted a Declaration at the summit in Brussels, in which it is stated that the Union confirms its unequivocal commitment to the perspective of the membership of the Western Balkans in that bloc and calls for the acceleration of the accession process, based on credible reforms of partners and the principle of merit.
In the Declaration, adopted at the EU - Western Balkans summit, it is written that the joint performance with the EU is "a clear sign of the strategic orientation of the partners, especially now, in light of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and other security challenges".
EU leaders praise those partners from the Western Balkans "who already show strategic commitment by fully aligning with the Union's "common foreign and security policy and encourage those partners who have not yet done so to align themselves as well."
The text of the Declaration from Brussels, which was published on the EU website, is transmitted in its entirety:
We, the leaders of the European Union (EU) and its member states, in consultation with the leaders of the Western Balkans, and in the presence of regional and international stakeholders, today conclude the following:
1. Due to the increasingly complicated geostrategic environment, dominated by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and seriously marked by the crisis in the Middle East, European and global security are still at risk. This environment demonstrates the importance of unity and purpose within the European family and the strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans region, establishing even closer ties and deeper cooperation with the EU based on common principles and values.
2. Recalling the Thessaloniki agenda, as well as the declarations from Sofia, Zagreb, Brdo and Tirana, the EU reaffirms its complete and unequivocal commitment to the perspective of the membership of the Western Balkans in the European Union and calls for the acceleration of the accession process, based on the credible reforms of the partners, correct and rigorous conditioning and the principle of own merits, which is in our mutual interest. She welcomes the progress made by Western Balkan partners on the road to the EU since the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tirana. The future of the Western Balkans lies in our Union.
3. The EU welcomes the determination of the partners from the Western Balkans to respect the central European values and principles and to commit to them in accordance with international law. The EU also welcomes the renewed commitment of the Western Balkans partners to the promotion of democracy, fundamental rights and values and the rule of law. In accordance with the Declaration from Tirana from December 2022, the EU emphasizes the need for permanent and irreversible reforms in the areas of the rule of law, the functioning of democratic institutions, the economy and the reform of public administration. The EU emphasizes the need for sustained efforts in the fight against corruption and organized crime, increased support for good governance, human rights, gender equality and minority rights. The credibility of that commitment depends on meaningful implementation of necessary reforms and solid results based on clear and consistent public communication in the interest of their people. A strengthened civil society and independent and pluralistic media with full respect for freedom of expression are key components of any democratic system.
4. The joint performance with the EU is a clear sign of the partners' strategic orientation, especially now, in light of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and other security challenges. The EU will continue to invest in multilateralism and work with partners to defend and support the rules-based international order. A shared vision of the future implies shared values and mutual responsibilities. As we deepen our cooperation with partners, we again call on them to make rapid and sustained progress towards full alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), including with respect to and acting on EU restrictive measures. We commend those partners from the Western Balkans who are already showing strategic commitment by fully aligning with the CSDP, and we encourage those partners who have not yet done so to align as well. We emphasize the importance of improved implementation of restrictive measures and prevention of their circumvention.
5. The EU is still the region's closest partner, its main investor, trade partner and leading donor. Partners should make the extraordinary volume and range of this support as visible as possible and reflect it in their public debates and communications so that citizens can appreciate the concrete benefits of partnership with the EU. Partners should also clearly communicate their commitment to EU values and necessary reforms.
6. The EU emphasizes the need for partners from the Western Balkans to commit to inclusive regional cooperation and strengthening of good neighborly relations, including with EU member states. The implementation of bilateral agreements in good faith and with concrete results remains significant, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborly Relations and Cooperation with Bulgaria.. Additional determined efforts are still needed to foster reconciliation and regional stability, as well as to find and implement definitive, inclusive and binding solutions for regional and bilateral disputes and partner issues rooted in the legacy of the past, as well as remaining cases of missing persons and war crimes issues, in accordance with international law and established principles, including the Agreement on Succession Issues. The EU also calls on partners to guarantee the rights of minorities and equal treatment for them.
7. We continue to fully support the efforts of the EU High Representative and the EU Special Representative for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and other regional issues of the Western Balkans. We expect from those two parties constructive engagement in good faith and in the spirit of compromise in order to achieve rapid progress in the normalization of their relations, which is of key importance for the security and stability of the entire region and to ensure that the parties can progress on their European path. We appeal to the parties to fully implement the Agreement on the Road to Normalization and its Implementation Annex, as well as all previous agreements, without further delays or preconditions. We also expect the parties to continue to make continuous efforts to reduce tensions in accordance with EU requirements and to refrain from unilateral and uncoordinated actions that could lead to further tensions and violence, as well as from rhetoric that is not conducive to the normalization of relations.
8. We welcome the successful meetings of the European Political Community held on October 6, 2022 in Prague, June 1, 2023 in Chisinau and October 5, 2023 in Granada. The meetings provided a platform for political coordination and provided opportunities for in-depth exchanges of views on pressing issues affecting the entire continent.
The rapprochement of partners with the EU and progress in gradual integration
9. The EU aims to bring the Western Balkans closer to itself, preparing the ground for accession and bringing concrete benefits to the citizens of the Western Balkans already during the enlargement process. For this purpose, the EU intends to explore additional measures aimed at the further progress of gradual integration. The EU emphasizes the importance of fully exploiting the potential of existing legal instruments. Building on the revised methodology, the EU recalls the call of the European Council to further improve the gradual integration of the region already during the enlargement process itself, and in a reversible way that is based on merit.
10. In this context, the aim of the Commission's recent Communication on the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is to accelerate socioeconomic convergence between the Western Balkans and the EU, and it encourages the region to accelerate EU-related reforms and to advance regional economic integration through a common regional market, based on EU rules and standards.
11. The EU is ready to consider the proposals presented in the Growth Plan for strengthening the economic integration of the Western Balkans with the EU. The EU notes that the submitted proposals are subject to the alignment of the Western Balkans with the rules of the EU single market and the opening of relevant sectors and areas to all its neighbors, in line with the common regional market, while at the same time fully preserving the integrity of the EU single market and equal conditions for all.
12. The EU welcomes the signing of the fourth mobility agreement concerning the mutual recognition of professional qualifications of nurses, veterinary surgeons, pharmacists and midwives at the Berlin Process summit in October 2023, which will contribute to the mobility of professional staff in the Western Balkans. The EU also welcomes the entry into force of three mobility agreements signed last year, which refer to freedom of movement with identity cards for citizens of the region, as well as mutual recognition of university degrees and professional qualifications within the region. The EU encourages the remaining partners from the Western Balkans to quickly ratify these agreements so that citizens can benefit from them as soon as possible.
13. The EU recalls the common obligation to strengthen efforts to promote the integration of the Western Balkans with the EU internal market. The common regional market of the Western Balkans (CRM) should serve as a starting point for integration. Further determined efforts by all Western Balkan leaders are necessary to make the Western Balkans market a reality, especially regarding the adoption of several decisions on trade-related initiatives already agreed at the technical level in the context of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). Such inclusive regional cooperation based on EU rules and standards would simultaneously stimulate trade within the region and attract investments. The EU calls on the region, with the help of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), CEFTA and the Comoros Investment Forum of the Western Balkans (WB6 CIF), before the current action plan for the common regional market expires in 2024, to prepare an ambitious action plan to succeed it current plan.
14. The EU welcomes the work of all the economies of the Western Balkans towards the modernization of their payment systems in order to get closer to EU standards and to meet all the conditions for integration into the Single Euro Payment Area.
15. Transport and connectivity are key to economic development as they encourage better regional integration and improve relations between neighbours. Through the Transport Community, the EU opened the possibility for closer integration of the Western Balkans in the field of transport, especially through regulatory reform. In this respect, the EU encourages its partners to continue with the necessary reforms in an ambitious manner. The EU welcomes the high-level agreements on the revision of the indicative extension of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) to the Western Balkans and the proposal to establish the European Transport Corridor Western Balkans - Eastern Mediterranean. The EU will support the partners from the Western Balkans in the integration of the road transport market based on the adoption of the relevant EU acquis. We also welcome the progress made regarding the implementation of the EU and Western Balkans green corridors and call for their implementation at all relevant borders with full respect for the EU acquis and procedures. Furthermore, we welcome the establishment of the Blue Corridors initiative, which will improve trade and transport links between Adriatic ports. These initiatives contribute to better border management and shorter waiting times for passengers and cargo and therefore stimulate economic activity. They highlight the positive effect that progress has on customs cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans. The EU acknowledges the efforts made by the Transport Community and CEFTA in the development of a plan for the implementation of green belts and synchronized state border control. Moreover, the EU is committed to supporting the modernization of the rail network in the region and is encouraging the Western Balkans' efforts to re-establish passenger rail links between major cities in the region, as well as between the region and its EU neighbours.
16. The EU reminds that it is determined to support the leaders of the Western Balkans in fulfilling their obligation to fully implement the Green Agenda for the region, including their obligations in the field of climate within the framework of the Paris Agreement, the Energy Community and the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, as a key driver of the transition towards modern, climate-neutral and resource-efficient economies that are resistant to climate change. The EU will continue to support the decarbonisation of the region, including through technical assistance, in particular to increase the share of renewable energies. The EU4 Green project is an important tool to help partners in their efforts. The EU will continue to support the region in the development and implementation of climate and energy transition policies, including carbon pricing based on stable monitoring, reporting and verification of emissions, and policies.
17. With the integration of the EU digital single market in the middle, building on the successful implementation of the Regional Roaming Agreement "roaming like at home" from July 2021, we welcome the reduction of data roaming costs between the EU and the Western Balkans starting from 1 October 2023 ., with the aim of developing a long-term arrangement on roaming in order to include the region in the area covered by the EU "roaming at home" regime. The Western Balkans should also seek to strengthen its efforts in the field of digital transformation and media, especially in terms of cybersecurity reforms by guaranteeing the safe deployment of 5G networks through the comprehensive implementation of the EU's package of instruments for the security of 5G technology. To further promote digital connectivity, we welcome the intention to develop the WIFI4WB initiative to provide citizens and visitors with free access to wireless connectivity in public places.
18. Regarding the integration of the Western Balkans into industrial supply chains, we welcome the interest expressed by partners from the Western Balkans to join as EU partners in the value chain for critical raw materials and receive support for the development of relevant industries, aligned with the needs and standards of the EU single market.
19. Recalling the 2021 Brdo Declaration and the 2022 Tirana Declaration, the EU is committed to accelerating and further deepening its political and policy engagement with the Western Balkans, including through the holding of regular EU-Western Balkan Summits, the participation of partners from the Western Balkans in high-level EU events and in regular dialogues within the framework of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP), as well as increasing cooperation within multilateral forums. Partners from the Western Balkans have already been invited to contribute to the meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council and to receive regular reports on those meetings. At the recent ministerial meeting of the EU and the Western Balkans in November, cooperation in the field of CSDP was additionally intensified, and at the ministerial forum of the EU and the Western Balkans in October in Skopje, cooperation in the field of justice and internal affairs was intensified.
20. The EU strongly welcomes the establishment of a new branch of the European College in Tirana and the launch of the application process for the first academic year 2024-2025. knowledge and in that way will promote mutual understanding and a sense of belonging.
21. The EU also recalls its permanent support for reforming and building the capacity of public administrations in the Western Balkans, which is manifested in particular through grants, town twinning, as well as through the Regional School for Public Administration.
22. The EU also welcomes the commitment of the partners to accelerate the implementation of the program for the Western Balkans for innovation, research, education, culture, youth and sports. Along with their participation in the Horizon Europe and Creative Europe programs, the EU is gradually connecting partners to EU programs such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, and opens up the possibility for all partners from the Western Balkans to participate in the European Universities initiative to create additional opportunities for young people. . The Youth Guarantee Scheme and measures to support innovation established in the Western Balkans will contribute to reducing the mismatch between skills offered and demanded and the brain drain the region is facing. The next ministerial meeting of management platforms for the Western Balkans should contribute to further strengthening of cooperation with the region in those policy areas and maintaining political momentum. The EU welcomes the significant role played by the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) in strengthening cooperation and reconciliation among young people in the Western Balkans.
Building solid economic foundations for the future and jointly tackling the negative effects of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine
23. Russia bears sole responsibility for the ongoing energy and economic crisis. The use of energy, food and information as a weapon has had consequences for partners from the Western Balkans, and those who have fully aligned themselves with the EU's common foreign and security policy and its restrictive measures have been particularly affected. In order to mitigate the impact of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU is determined to further intensify its political engagement with the Western Balkans region, with the assistance it has already provided within the Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance, the Economic and Investment Plan, the Energy Support Package, the European instrument of peace aid and support that contributes to building cyber resilience and preventing foreign interference and manipulation of information (FIMI).
24. The EU will continue to support partners from the Western Balkans in the fight against the negative effects on their economies and societies, especially through the EU Energy Support Package worth 1 billion euros in grants, which can achieve 2,5 billion euros in investments. 90 percent (450 million euros) of the first half of the package, intended to alleviate the increase in energy prices for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and vulnerable households, has already been paid. The remaining 500 million euros in grants are provided by the EU through the Investment Framework for the Western Balkans (NjBIF) in order to advance the energy transition and energy independence, support projects in the field of renewable energy, finance improvements to energy infrastructure and interconnection lines, including LNG, upgrade systems for energy transmission and centralized heating and improved energy efficiency of private and public infrastructure in the Western Balkans.
25. We recall our decision to open the EU mechanism for the joint purchase of gas and LNG for the Western Balkans and encourage our partners who have gas markets to use that mechanism to reduce their dependence on Russian gas. Through the Energy Community, the EU is opening its electricity market to the Western Balkans, but this depends on regulatory reforms.
26. The continued implementation of the Economic Investment Plan for the Western Balkans (EIP) and the Green Agenda and the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans will help to strengthen the economy and resilience of the region, including through additional support for secure and resilient connectivity, energy transition and diversification of energy supply. . The support provided under the EIP program includes EUR 9 billion in grants from the IPA III instrument and up to EUR 20 billion in investments for the period 2021-2027 and is in an advanced stage of implementation. Of the investment package for the region worth almost 30 billion euros, 16.6 billion euros have already been mobilized. In this context, the Western Balkan partners must also strengthen the rule of law and decisively implement economic and social reforms, including those contained in their economic reform programs and in the joint conclusions of the economic and financial dialogue.
Strengthening security and building resilience
27. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine poses fundamental security challenges. The EU remains determined to further strengthen cooperation with the Western Balkans when fundamental security and defense issues are at stake, including at the operational level. In this regard, we welcome that partners have demonstrated their commitment to the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP), including through their contributions to EU crisis management missions and operations. The EU will continue to cooperate with the region on the further development of defense capabilities and capacities, including through the European Peace Instrument. The EU remains committed to contributing to security in the region, including through its CSDP operation EUFOR Althea and the EULEX mission. The EU welcomes the continued commitment of partners to the development of effective instruments for regional cooperation of the Western Balkans in the field of security and defense. The EU has also begun to further enhance cooperation with the region in areas such as the response to hybrid and cyber threats, space and military mobility.
28. The EU will continue to support the Western Balkans in the fight against Foreign Interference and Manipulation of Information (FIMI), including disinformation and other hybrid threats that seek to threaten the region's stability, democratic processes and its perspective in the EU. We will additionally strengthen our cooperation in order to build resilience by stimulating professionalism in the media and media literacy, and by increasing the impact of strategic communication on the relations between the EU and the Western Balkans, and especially on the enlargement process. The EU will also step up its work with partners to combat false Russian discourse and disinformation about Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
29. We will continue to strengthen our collective cyber security in cooperation with the Western Balkans, including through coordinated operational and technical support and with the inclusion of the region in EU cyber security mechanisms. Our strengthened joint efforts build on existing programs and cooperation with the EU Cyber Security Agency (ENISA) and the European Security and Defense College, combined with bilateral initiatives of EU Member States and other partners. Within the framework of the project Quick response in the field of cyber security, worth 2,6 million euros, EU action is aimed at increasing the cyber resilience and preparedness of partners for cyber incidents. With the regional program for building the capacity of the Western Balkans in the field of cyber security, worth 5 million euros and financed from the IPA, the cyber resilience of the region is supported in the medium and long term. These programs are regularly supplemented with the partner assistance of the TAIEX instrument (an instrument for the provision of technical assistance and exchange of information). We welcome the establishment of the Western Balkans Cyber Capability Center, which promotes regional cooperation in building cyber resilience. The increased cooperation of the Western Balkans with ENISA and the European Center for Competence in the field of cyber security, as well as the intermediary role played by the Council for Regional Cooperation, will be increasingly important in the future. The European Union expresses its satisfaction with the establishment of reserve forces for cyber defense (Cyber reserve) which will be available to partners from the Western Balkans so that they can respond to significant or widespread incidents in the field of cyber security.
Illegal migration, fight against terrorism and organized crime
30. Migration management remains a shared challenge and responsibility. We see the progress achieved in the implementation of the EU action plan for the Western Balkans, presented in December 2022. Thanks to the coordinated action, the total migratory pressure on the Western Balkan route has so far been reduced in 2023 compared to 2022. However, that route is still very active and a large number of illegal border crossings have been recorded. In this light, the EU and the Western Balkans remain determined to fully implement the EU Action Plan, including to combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking and to ensure access to international protection for those who need it, and to further strengthen monitoring of trends on that route. In this regard, partners from the Western Balkans are invited to further strengthen their participation in the European Multidisciplinary Platform for Combating Criminal Threats (EMPACT), the EU's leading instrument for combating serious and organized crime. Substantial EU financial support within dedicated programs will enable partners to improve asylum and reception systems, strengthen border protection, fight against organized criminal groups and other criminal networks, especially those involved in migrant smuggling, and increase the number of returns from the Western Balkans to the countries origin.
31. People from the entire Western Balkan region will be able to travel to the Schengen area without a visa starting next year. The EU welcomes the progress made by several Western Balkan partners in aligning with EU visa policy and has called for further alignment to prevent abuse of EU member states' migration and asylum systems. When it comes to readmission, the EU welcomed efforts by partners to improve the implementation of existing readmission agreements between the EU and the Western Balkans. Partners must continue to improve their return systems, including through the conclusion of readmission agreements with key countries of origin. The EU's additional financial and technical assistance, provided through Frontex, is aimed at enhanced cooperation on return and readmission in countries of origin. The EU welcomes the signing and conclusion of new Frontex status agreements with some partners and calls on other partners to do so quickly. Cooperation with the European Union Agency for Asylum and Europol should be further intensified.
32. The EU calls for further strengthening of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and in combating violent extremism in all its forms, including the prevention of radicalization and financing of terrorism. The EU welcomes the results achieved during the five-year implementation of the Joint Counter-Terrorism Action Plan for the Western Balkans and reaffirms its determination to continue to cooperate in the future, including in view of new threats such as violent right-wing extremism, the spread of violent extremist content online and possible attacks to critical infrastructure. The EU once again emphasizes the importance of taking decisive measures to combat serious and organized crime, especially money laundering, high-level corruption, drug cultivation, and drug production and trafficking, through enhanced cooperation in the field of law enforcement and customs with the help of EMPAKT. In the context of the devastating consequences of drug use and drug trafficking on the health and safety of our societies, we agree that we will continue to make joint efforts and intensify them, through an integrated, multidisciplinary and balanced approach based on evidence.
33. The EU welcomes the reaffirmed determination of the Western Balkans partners to eradicate the trade in small arms and light weapons and its proliferation, as well as the high level of cooperation in combating the smuggling of firearms within the framework of EMPAKT. The EU will continue to support the Western Balkans in this area. That plan, which has been extended beyond 2024, is an internationally recognized example of good practice in regional cooperation to strengthen small arms control.
34. The EU encourages partners from the Western Balkans to establish and maintain cooperative relations with the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in the field of mutual legal assistance in criminal cases. We welcome the working arrangements already established between the EPPO and some partners from the Western Balkans and encourage other partners for similar cooperation as soon as possible.
35. We welcome the fact that our partners from the Western Balkans agree with the points mentioned above.
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