The main topic of the talks was the European Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, through which the countries of the region will absorb €6 billion by 2027.
After the luncheon, Von der Leyen wrote on the social network X that all the countries of the Western Balkans belong to Europe and that the EU is actively working for their accession.
"In parallel, we are bringing their economies and markets closer to ours with our €6 billion growth plan for the region," the Commission President added.
Participating in the meeting were the prime ministers of Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro - Albin Kurti, Edi Rama, Christian Mickoski and Miloiko Spaic. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and the President of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Boriana Kristo, also arrived in Brussels. Each of them was required to present a reform agenda, the implementation of which depends on the absorption of the Growth Plan funds.
During his talks with Von der Leyen, North Macedonian Prime Minister Christian Mickoski commented on Skopje's European integration.
"I stressed that the region and the country are tired of turning their backs on obstacles that are bilateral and not part of the objective criteria for joining the Union", he said.
BGNES recalls that North Macedonia must include the Bulgarians in the preamble of its constitution in order to start negotiations with the EU. This obligation, stems from the so-called "French proposal", which the country accepted in June 2022.
After his meeting with the European Commission president, Serbian President Vucic said they discussed topics such as green corridors and expressed confidence that his country would soon become part of the single European payment area.
"It is up to us to strive, to fight and to fulfil the criteria, starting from the rule of law and the reform agenda and see what we can do for companies and our economy," Vucic said.
"We want an open Western Balkans, we want security and a better life for our citizens," he added.
Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti asked for Kosovo to be granted candidate status.
At the same time, he has demanded that restrictive measures against Kosovo, which he called unfair and unjust, be lifted.
Regarding the Growth Plan, Kurti said that Kosovo was one of the first countries to present the Reform Agenda, thus showing its commitment to the Growth Plan. | BGNES
