Meeting informally in Sofia, EU foreign ministers discussed the newly proposed Strategy for the Western Balkans for the first time, the ways of strengthening the EU perspective of the region and preparations of the EU – Western Balkans Summit in Sofia. The European Union and the Western Balkans have a common interest in working more strongly together, to guarantee both the citizens of the EU and the region the economic and social development as well as security.
The Western Balkans was top of the agenda of the informal meeting of the EU foreign ministers (Gymnich) chaired by High Representative Federica Mogherini in Sofia on 15 and 16 February. On the second day, the EU foreign ministers were joined by colleagues from the candidate countries.
“This was the first opportunity for the foreign ministers of 28 Member States to discuss the Western Balkans Strategy we presented in February”, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini said following the meeting. “We had a very positive discussion where I saw a clear unity of purpose in support of the work we are doing together with the Bulgarian Presidency to guarantee the perspective of a common future inside the EU with our partners in the region.”
Under the Bulgarian presidency we have a window of opportunity to move forward with the entire region, Mogherini stressed. “The framework of the date is a possible perspective not only for the two countries negotiating but also for others that could start to negotiate and – I personally wish – will start to negotiate between now and June.”
