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Tajani, ‘the Western Balkans in EU already by 2029’

by AI | 13.Feb 2025 | Europe in brief AI

In a meeting with the Western Balkans countries and with the Friends of the Western Balkans Group, Rome expressed the hope for the EU and NATO accession of those countries in the area that are not yet part of it.

Rome (ANSA) – Italy alongside the Western Balkans to accelerate their accession to the EU, even before the horizon of 2030: this is the message that Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized first at the Quirinale, on the occasion of the Day of Remembrance with the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, and then at Villa Madama, where the deputy prime minister hosted a ministerial meeting with the Western Balkan countries and with the Group of Friends of the Western Balkans precisely to reiterate that Rome “hopes for the accession to the EU and the Atlantic Alliance of those countries” in the area “that are not yet part of it.”

The path of the EU “has not always been easy,” but “today more than ever it must be pursued with courage, obstinacy and wisdom, also committing to favor the entry of new members” such as the Western Balkan countries, Ukraine and Moldova, said the head of state. Echoing him was Tajani, who hosted the ministerial meeting at Villa Madama to which he also invited the EU high representative Kaja Kallas and the EU commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, to “confirm the message of fraternal embrace to the region at this initial stage of the new European institutional cycle.”

“We are in favor of bringing all countries in before 2030. Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia are countries that have made progress and for me 2029 is a right moment. We also want it for Bosnia, but perhaps it will take more time,” explained the head of Farnesina.

Tajani then outlined the Italian proposals to accelerate the EU accession of candidate countries: gradual integration (starting from key sectors such as cybersecurity, strengthening of public administration, migration management and cooperation between businesses); simplification of the process in order to avoid blocks and cross-vetoes especially on technical steps; strategic communication, to enhance the benefits of integration for the population (February 10).