TIRANA, Feb 3 – The European Commission (EC) published Tuesday the highlights of over 90 concrete activities and initiatives, aimed at supporting the political and economic development in the countries of the Western Balkans.
The activities have the long-term goal to accelerate those countries’ progress on the road towards EU membership. Under the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, the Western Balkans includes Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosova.
“I welcome the progress achieved in the countries of the Western Balkans during the past year. I am proud that the EU contributed with concrete means to this success. I know how much free travel or possibilities to study abroad matter in people’s every day life. I am looking forward to seeing further progress, as 2009 will be an important year for the EU integration of the Western Balkans,” Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn is quoted as saying.
The area of regional cooperation has registered many recent developments such as the newly established Regional Cooperation Council, and the free trade area, established by the Central European Free Trade Agreement, which since September of 2008, has a fully operational secretariat.
EC approves projects to accelerate Western Balkans EU membership
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