The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen delivered the annual speech to the European Parliament, insisting that the states of the Western Balkans, but also Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, should become part of the European family, because, as she said, without these states, “our union will not be complete”.

 During this speech, the head of the EC said that the fastest way to expand the rule of democracy is by strengthening ties with democratic states on the European continent.

“This starts with those states that are already on the way to our union. We must be on their side every step of the way, because the road to a strong democracy and the road to the European Union are the same. Therefore, I want people in the Western Balkans, in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to know: you are part of our family, your future is in the union, and our union is not complete without you,” Von der Leyen said.

The head of the European Commission mentioned the Balkans in several parts of her speech, when she spoke about the need to review the EU’s foreign policy.

/Klara Ruci/