Kristian Vigenin: The future of the Western Balkans is in the EU
09 May 2014 News
There is no doubt that the future of the Western Balkans is in the EU. The question is “when”, not “whether,” said Minister Kristian Vigenin at the EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Conference,which was held today in Thessaloniki. The forum was divided into two sessions, focusing respectively on the European integration of the Western Balkans and the transport and energy connectivity between the EU and the Western Balkans. It was organized by the Greek Presidency of the EU with the participation of Štefan Füle, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy.
In his statement, dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the European integration process of the Western Balkans, Minister Vigenin emphasized that joining the EU is not just a common foreign policy decision but a choice of the country’s path of development for the next generations. In this regard, he expressed satisfaction that South East Europe firmly and irreversibly has chosen a future in united Europe. Now we are facing once again great economic and political challenges at the international arena and within our European family. That is why the EU enlargement should remain the focus of our joint endeavours, said Minister Vigenin.
Bulgaria, as an immediate neighbor, has always promoted the European integration of the countries in the region, said Kristian Vigenin, adding that the enlargement rules and principles must be equal for all candidate countries. Maintenance of good neighbourly relations is part of this criteria and for us, this principle is important as a benchmark and indicator for the readiness of the candidate countries to embrace the European values, added the Bulgarian Foreign Minister.
According to Kristian Vigenin, the European Union and its Member States could provide guidance and support in conducting the necessary for the European integration process reforms, but it is essential that the driving force lies with the internal actors because reforms which are made in the rush and under external pressure, risk being unsustainable. The Foreign Minister said that Bulgaria has been and remains ready to share its own experience with the candidate states on their accession path.
In his statement, Minister Vigenin emphasized that in order to build a stable and prosperous political and economic future of SEE we need to build trust and to implement more projects at local level. In this regard, transborder and regional programs of the EU present opportunities which should be fully exploited. The existing infrastructural gaps in the region are an issue which requires special attention. Though not directly linked to the accession criteria, these gaps indeed impede the regional development, economic potential and social development of the SEE countries. The Instrument for pre-accession assistance should be utilized to close these gaps.