German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful stated that the Western Balkans are part of the European family, but that there is growing disbelief in the region that it will become part of the European Union (EU) in the near future, which carries the danger of "a return to the old days of hostility and greater influence of Russia and China."
"The Western Balkans are part of the European family. That is why it is clear to us: we will embark on the journey to the EU together with the six countries of the region," said Vadeful ahead of the ministerial meeting on the Western Balkans at Hillsborough Castle near Belfast, as announced by the German Foreign Ministry.
In addition to the foreign ministers of the Western Balkans six, including Deputy Prime Minister and Montenegrin Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimović, the meeting is also attended by ministers or high-ranking officials from Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Greece, Bulgaria and others.
The two-day ministerial meeting, which is being held within the framework of the Berlin Process and is intended to prepare for the summit of Western Balkan leaders in London on October 22, began last night with a reception hosted by British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Vadeful assessed that the Berlin Process is "the catalyst in the process of accession of the Western Balkan countries to the European Union" and that this function is "more important than ever."
"Namely, people are starting to lose confidence in the near future in the EU. We cannot allow ourselves to do that, because then we risk a return to the old era of hostility and a greater role for Russia and China," said Vadeful.
According to him, the role of the Berlin Process is also to encourage everyday cooperation and achieve visible improvements in people's lives, be it through cross-border youth cooperation, freedom of travel, or mutual recognition of diplomas.
"Of course, there are still many steps to be taken on this path of reconciliation. And that is why the location that our British friends and hosts have chosen for the meeting of foreign ministers this year is of particular significance - Belfast symbolizes that after decades of social divisions, reconciliation has become possible," said Wadeful.
He said that this does not happen "overnight, but with patience, political will, but above all thanks to the courage of many people to come together in difficult situations."
The meeting is symbolically taking place at Hillsborough Castle where in 1998 the governments of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland signed the Good Friday Agreement, or Belfast Agreement, which largely ended the Northern Ireland conflict.
Bonus video:
