The growth plan for the Western Balkans represents a clear signal of the European Union's commitment to the economic and democratic transformation of the Western Balkans, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said at the Summit of the leaders of the Western Balkans and the European Union in Kotor, which he is hosting.
"Especially for companies, the Growth Plan represents a chance and a signal that the region will be part of a larger market. I often say that Montenegro is a market of half a million people, but as part of the common market it is a market of 500 million", he stated.
Leaders of the countries of the region, representatives of the EU and the United States of America are discussing the Growth Plan today in Kotor, and the summit is being organized under the slogan "One region, common vision".
Spajić emphasized that the Government is committed to European reforms and the implementation of measures necessary for the implementation of the Growth Plan.
"The growth plan is a new, crucial plan of a larger vision of an integrated and consolidated Union, strong and ready to face serious challenges. The Western Balkans must show that it is up to the task. Montenegro is committed, it is close to its strategic goal, with membership in NATO to join the EU and provide a safe future for this and future generations of its citizens," concluded Spajić.
Kristo: We agreed on 110 out of 113 reforms
The Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto, said that on April 30, they officially sent the European Commission a list of reforms with steps to implement the Growth Plan.
"We actively worked on harmonization with the representatives of the EC and the EU delegation in BiH. Out of 113 reforms, which were the initial proposal of the EU, we agreed on 110 reforms", she pointed out, adding that they successfully met all the set deadlines.
She said that the European path is the main foreign policy goal for which there is a consensus in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"I hope that we will all succeed together and achieve our common goals," she concluded.
Kurti: Serbia to hand over Radoičić
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti spoke about the war in Ukraine, saying that it is a key threat to the EU and security.
He said that Kosovo is resolute in its pro-European commitment and that the country's progress must be respected.
He says that the reform agenda, which consists of 32 reforms in 17 sectors, is "almost complete".
"I call on Serbia to hand over to Kosovo Milan Radoičić and his paramilitary group that killed policeman Afrim Bunjaku on September 24 last year," Kurti said.
Rama: Progress speaks for itself
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama says that the progress made by everyone in the last two and a half months, since the meeting in Skopje, speaks for itself.
"We have prepared individual reform plans, identified key initiatives that will bring us closer to the common market and, finally, we have started preparing the common regional market. In short, we are ready".
Vučić: Reforms are more important than money
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said that they are enthusiastic about the Growth Plan.
"I believe we have had good discussions so far and agreed on most things... We have a couple of things to take care of and we will do that," he said.
Vučić said that this is something that will bring good results to the region.
"We appreciate and are grateful for the money, but more important than the money are the structural reforms that we have to implement, and we appreciate that very much," he pointed out.
He repeated the claim that the countries of the region will not become EU members before Ukraine. "It may or may not be together with them..."
"This is something that will bring us closer to the EU, so not that we will not deny the importance of such initiatives, but I thank you all very much for your support and help," he concluded.
Spajić agreed that structural reforms are a key signal to companies that the uncertainty of the region joining the common market is diminishing.
"It will change the atmosphere when it comes to investments in the region," he added.
Jaferi: We are committed to the reform agenda
The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Talat Dzaferi, is committed to the European agency and essential reforms.
Varhelji: There will be no excuse for the Western Balkans not to be ready to join the EU by 2027
European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Oliver Varhelji said that the Growth Plan is a reality whose implementation has already begun.
"The region seems to not only feel this, but understand it and deliver results."
He says that the Plan offers a serious offer to the region. "That's why I'm very happy to hear that the Balkans are optimistic".
He says that the next European Commission "should be an enlarged European Commission". "Expanded, which would have new members by the end of the mandate. I am quite sure that, with everything we have done in this mandate, the Western Balkans will be part of that expansion," said Varhelji.
"With the tools we have, by 2027 the Western Balkans will receive the same or comparable level of aid as the current beneficiaries of our fund, that means it will reach 90 percent of aid intensity... There will be no excuse for the Western Balkans not to be ready by 2027 to join the EU," he added.
O'Brien: A growth plan is good because it's measurable
US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien says he likes the Growth Plan because it is measurable.
"The goal is for people, goods and services to move safely, cheaper and faster than before," he added.
"The beauty of the Growth Plan is that for every participant the message is clear - do your job and don't ask someone else to do something first, so you do your job," O'Brien pointed out.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
