Speakers of the parliaments of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia as well as the president of Croatia’s Parliament gather to discuss the Western Balkans’ European perspectives, in the European Parliament in Brussels. The summit is organised under the patronage of David SASSOLI, Ep President, in cooperation with the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Delegation for relations with the Western Balkans. Statement by David SASSOLI, EP President

Brussels

EU - Serbia (T)

meeting

EU - North Macedonia (T)

EU - Bosnia and Herzegovina (T)

EU - Kosovo (T)

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

EU - Montenegro (T)

EU - Albania (T)

Enlargement to the Western Balkans countries (T)

Parliamentary Summit with the Western Balkans: arrivals, roundtable and statement by David SASSOLI, EP President

Atmosphere inside the meeting room (10 shots)

Arrival of David SASSOLI, EP President, and handshake

Signing of the joint declaration (4 shots)

SOUNDBITE (French), David SASSOLI, EP President, It is excellent. There is great collaboration among all the Western Balkans Parliaments and the European Parliament. We have to develop the possibility of an even greater collaboration and above all of a process of accession for the Western Balkans countries, that is strategically very important for us, for our security for the economic and social issues. There are many chances to develop a positive collaboration. And today was a very important day for us, because all the Western Balkans Parliaments confirmed their will to work together.

SOUNDBITE (French), David SASSOLI, EP President, We still have to discuss a little bit, but I think that the process cannot be stopped, but it should be developed immediately. I think that during the following months there are some chances to start the accession process for Albania and Northern Macedonia. And this is very important.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, There is a great decision in the European Parliament, a great will around the accession process. We have found some obstacles in some comments from 3 out of 28 Member States and a strong willingness to continue by the Parliament and the Commission. Therefore I believe that this determination can start the accession process for these countries and also start fruitful collaborations with others. We need to fill the geographical map of Europe. There is a gap, it is named  "Western Balkans". And until we have filled it, we have not made the political space fit with the geographical space. This is why today's message is  very important: the political space should match with the geographical space. And I believe this is the chance we have to strengthen the EU and make it more helpful for our citizens.