EU says stability of Western Balkans more important than ever

BELGRADE, Serbia

The stability and security of the Western Balkans is more important than ever, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi said Monday.

Varhelyi's remarks came at the Western Balkans Investment Summit organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The summit hosts the government heads of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.

''Current events show that never before has the stability and security of the Western Balkans been as important as now. We need to maintain peace and stability, deepen and expand it. They show the importance of the European Union’s perspective,'' said Varhelyi.

He also urged a faster implementation of projects.

''It is now time to accelerate implementation. I count on you, prime ministers, to ensure quick action so the projects from the plan come to life swiftly. Together, we can and we will change the reality on the ground,” he added.

This is the fifth EBRD summit of its kind. The inaugural Western Balkans Summit, which brought together all of the region’s prime ministers for the first time, took place at the EBRD in February 2014.

The aim of the summit is to highlight investment and business opportunities and to promote regional connectivity.

The Western Balkans is a priority region for the EBRD, the largest institutional investor in the region, with more than €15 billion ($16.8 billion) invested to date.