The European Union's Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi said on Thursday that an increased presence of the "international players" in the Western Balkans was a challenge for the EU and that the bloc should consider its role in the new environment.

“It's not surprising to see more international players in the region considering its investment's, particularly in the energy and transport sectors. A long-term risk from that must not be underestimated. Our responsibility is to determine our role in such an environment,” Várhelyi told the ‘Tirana Connectivity Forum’ in Albania.

“Ever since the 1990s, the EU has been supporting the Western Balkans to build and modernize the energy and transport infrastructure. Until today, we secured 11 billion Euro in the European Commission (EC) grants and the European Investment Bank (EIB) loans,” the Commissioner recalled.

He announced the EC would adopt the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans which would support the long-term social-economic recovery of the region and its ‘European convergence’ with the EU.

“The Western Balkans needs strategic and selective investments in the areas which will enable the sustainable economic development and enhance the convergence with the EU in years ahead,” Várhelyi said.

He added the focus would be on transport and energy links and the improvement of the infrastructure as a key to economic development.

Várhelyi said the EU aimed at sizing up the competition in the region in which, according to him, the countries’ governments should play an active role.