Announcements
Chairman Zvizdić at Prague Convention: Western Balkans European Perspective Has No Alternative
09/12/2019
Vijeće ministara Bosne i Hercegovine
Other that the Višegrad Group Prime Ministers, the meeting was attended by Prime Ministers of the North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Serbia.
Chairman Zvizdić started his address reiterating many times repeated position that the European perspective of the Western Balkans has no alternative and that the enlargement policy is the joint determinant and sole guarantee to secure stability, role of law and economic prosperity for BIH and the Western Balkans region. In line with that he expressed his satisfaction for the proposed candidate for the post of enlargement commissioner arrives form the Višegrad Group member, which has law supported the Western Balkans integration to the European Union.
Chairman Zvizdić said all the Višegrad Group and Western Balkans countries should seek the strengthening of mutual political, economic, social and cultural cooperation, in ode rot be a truly support to each other in the European integrations process.
“A full integration only of the Western Balkans to the European Union serves the best interest of the continent. The enlargement impetus is necessary to preserve, along with a constant commitment to reform implementation, aiming taking over acquis and reaching EU standards, with a continuous strengthening of regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations, in addition to a self-merit principle”, Chairman Zvizdić pointed in his address.
He spoke of basic conditions for overcoming the Western Balkans issues, specifying political cooperation, willingness for dialogue, strengthening of the rule of law, stability and economic ties.
“Further development of transport, energy and digital infrastructure, as well as promotion of overall connectivity on the Western Balkans and Western Balkans with the European Union represents the key factor for development and employment and will surely bring along direct benefit to the regional economies and ultimately to the citizens. The constant cooperation and connectedness of the Western Balkans countries should be the priority to all governments, and cooperation and inciting good cross-region relations is the best way of confidence building. Acting jointly only and understanding that the joint Western Balkan market is more attractive if not divided by national borders will open the road too further incentives for domestic, along with successful attraction if foreign investments”, Chairman Zvizdić stressed.
In his address, he touched upon the issue of migrant crisis, for which he pointed at the legal and humane treatment that BIH Institutions assume in this regard, however with a clear position that BIH will not be a migrants’ collection point on the Western Balkans, expressing his expectations that the EU will assist in solving the issue of illegal migrants.
The Višegrad Group and Western Balkans Prime Ministers meeting was held in the Prague Castle, one of the world’s the biggest castles.
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