Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of the European Union (EU) - Western Balkans summit in Brussels (Belgium), EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borell emphasized: "The EU enlargement to include countries in the Western Balkans must accelerate. It is a security guarantee."

According to the EU's foreign and security policy chief, the changing situation around the world has put Europe's security and stability at risk, so enlargement would be an investment in peace, security and prosperity. It is in the EU's vital interest to work and cooperate as closely as possible with the six countries of the Western Balkans, future EU members, to counter cyber threats and strengthen resilience. This is a common strategic goal that unites the region and the EU.

At the conference, the EU announced a new support package worth 1.8 million EUR for Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia to deal with cyber threats.

The EU is trying to revive the entire enlargement process, which has been stalled since 2013, when Croatia joined. Since then, the EU has been unable to admit new members as it grapples with the economic crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. The EU has been in negotiations for years with several Western Balkan countries, notably Serbia and Montenegro. Albania and Macedonia followed last year, while Bosnia-Herzegovina and the territory of Kosovo are only at the beginning of the process.

The summit is an opportunity to reaffirm the position of the Western Balkans' membership in the EU as well as the need for partners to achieve lasting and irreversible reforms, based on EU values ​​and principles.

KHANH HUNG