Sarajevo Summit historic, Berisha says

TIRANA, June 8 – Prime Minister Sali Berisha has called last week’s Sarajevo summit “a historic event for the Balkans.” He made the comments at a conference on overcoming gender stereotypes.
“Sarajevo is a strong support for the aspiration, the process of integrating the Balkan countries and Western nations in the European Union. I want to thank the Spanish presidency with much gratitude, all the foreign ministers of EU member states and representatives of these countries in Sarajevo, who have given a great new support, a new boost great transformation in the reality of the most beautiful dream of the citizens of our countries, the European dream. The support the European Commission’s decision to abolish the visa, and it was undoubtedly the most excellent message chancelleries of EU members were giving to the Albanians, through their foreign ministers,” said Berisha.
The European Union reassured western Balkan states it was committed to accepting the former warring foes into the bloc.
Senior EU officials said during a one-day meeting with Balkan ministers that they were sending a clear message that the door remains open to Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro if they meet the criteria for joining.
So far, no nation in the region has qualified, with Croatia the closest to join probably in 2012.
The Balkan states are concerned EU members may not want to expand given the current financial crisis. The Balkan officials argue that EU enlargement did not cause the crisis and should not be put on hold.
The EU’s conditions for membership include strengthening of the rule of law, fighting against corruption and organized crime, guaranteeing media freedom and regional cooperation.
The Sarajevo meeting, organized by the Spanish EU Presidency, marks the 10th anniversary of the gathering in Zagreb, Croatia, where the EU first promised Balkan nations a future in the Union.
At the time, nations of the western Balkans were hardly talking to each other following the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II which killed tens of thousands and left millions displaced.
Now they have become major trade partners and no longer safe havens for suspected war criminals.
“Integrating the western Balkans into the European family of nations remains one of the last challenges to building a democratic and unified Europe,” said Catherine Ashton, the EU’s foreign affairs chief in a statement issued ahead of the one-day meeting.