The European Union has backed up the statements of Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhejli on the “Open Balkans”.
Ana Pisonero, one of the spokespersons of the European Commission, said that Regional Integration, which is based on EU rules, only brings benefits to the Western Balkans. According to her, this is why the EU strongly cares about regional co-operation.
“The lack of progress in implementing the regional common market has hampered significant benefits, especially for business, investors and consumers,” the EU responded to the Telegraph.

The EU further says it welcomes participants in the Open Balkans Initiative to be committed to promoting greater regional integration.

Pisonero also said that the leaders of the Western Balkans must make progress in implementing the Common Regional Market, established at the Sofia Summit in 2020, with the constructive commitment of all parties.

She added that the biggest regional benefits would come from the involvement of all Western Balkan states in the Open Balkans initiative.

“It remains clear that the biggest benefits will come from the six Balkan states. The leaders of the Western Balkans need to make progress in implementing the Common Regional Market, established at the 2020 Sofia Summit, with the constructive commitment of all parties. “This is important to realize the full benefits of regional integration, to make the best use of investments under the Economic and Investment Plan and to better connect the whole region with the EU single market,” said the EC spokeswoman. 

Finally, he stressed that the EU will continue to support the Regional Cooperation Council, CEFTA, the Transport and Energy Communities to bring benefits to the WB through enhanced regional cooperation.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood of the European Union, Oliver Varhelyi came out openly in favor of the initiative of “Open Balkan”.
In a direct connection, Varhelyi has invited the other three Balkan states to join the initiative, as according to him their economic benefit would be very large.

/Klara Ruci/