European Council President Antonio Costa has declared that the future of all Western Balkan countries is within the European Union, stressing that Kosovo, Northern Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina still have the opportunity to mark progress and accelerate reforms needed towards EU membership.
In a statement under the EU Enlargement Summit-organised by Euronews 2026, Costa has reaffirmed that the future of all Western Balkan countries is in the European Union.
He has mentioned Kosovo together with northern Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, praising that these countries still have the opportunity to mark progress and accelerate reforms in the European integration process.
It is my firm conviction that the future of all Western Balkan countries is within the European Union. And I believe that Northern Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo can still make further progress and accelerate the necessary reforms on the road towards EU membership, Costa has declared.
He has stressed that the enlargement process should remain fair, stable and merit-based, while underlining the importance of reforms, rule of law, fighting corruption and strengthening democratic institutions.
Costa has announced that after three weeks he will hold discussions with leaders of Western Balkan countries at the 4th EU-Western Balkans Summit during his mandate.
He has also stressed that EU membership means not only the approach of laws and institutions but also the building of confidence, resolving disputes through diplomacy and co-operation between countries.
Source Layer: RTKLive