The Director General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations at the European Commission, Gert Jan Koopman, emphasized the importance of countries focusing on common development and avoiding mutual blockades.

The growth plan presented by the European Union for the Western Balkan countries centers around the integration of the Western Balkans market, aligning it as a single entity within the larger European market,” highlighted Koopman.

During the conference ‘The Growth Plan of the Western Balkans and the Fastest Integration in the EU’ in Skopje, Koopman stated the need for increased cooperation. He also underlined that blocking neighbors would result in significant economic costs for the country.

“The growth plan holds the key to resolving regional disparities and expediting accession to the EU. I am encouraged by the progress made on reforms; your negotiators have achieved significant milestones, acknowledged by the EU. Today, we witness a unified regional growth plan aimed at doubling the economy and expanding markets in preparation for EU accession. This plan is designed to facilitate a quicker and smoother integration into the EU market for the country. We are actively working to foster the growth of domestic markets in your countries and the region. Our objective is to assist in regional integration, a crucial step toward eventual EU integration. Without regional integration, the utilization of the internal market is hindered. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of not impeding your neighbors. We invite you to join us on this journey, understanding that by blocking your neighbors, you hinder your own progress and miss out on the opportunities within the common market. The potential is substantial,” stated Koopman.

“The successful achievement of these goals would serve as a significant incentive for foreign investments. This, in turn, has a direct impact on trade, something we are keenly interested in. Our focus lies in the integration of the Western Balkans market into the EU. As your market expands, it also influences the markets of the EU member countries,” concluded Koopman.

Regional leaders from the Western Balkans, along with other high-ranking officials, convened today in Skopje, North Macedonia. They are actively participating in the European Union conference focused on the economic growth of the region, specifically addressing the ‘Western Balkans Growth Plan and Faster Integration in the EU.

/m.ll/