The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, held a working dinner Tuesday evening with six leaders of the Western Balkans in Brussels where they discussed the future of the region and the main challenges facing these countries. Bosnia and Herzegovina was represented by Council of Ministers Chairman Zoran Tegeltija.

According to the EU statement, the meeting was also attended by Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi.
“In an open and frank atmosphere, High Representative Borell and Western Balkan leaders had a joint strategic review of ways to accelerate reforms to meet citizens’ expectations of the EU integration, as well as approaches to strengthening positive, constructive narratives in the region. They agreed that the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU is a key strategic goal that is in the common interest of both the EU and the region,” the statement said.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to regional cooperation and agreed to continue co-operating in solving global problems, such as the coronavirus pandemic.

“With this informal meeting, High Representative Borell has revived the tradition of informal meetings with Western Balkan leaders. Such meetings will be continued in the future,” the EU said.

The dinner was attended by Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Northern Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic and BiH Council of Ministers Chairman Zoran Tegeltija.