After 15 years, today, the The European Commission, unveiled a new strategy for “A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans,” confirming the European future of the region as a geostrategic investment in a stable, strong and united Europe based on common values.

As part of the strategy, the EC announced six new flagship initiatives to support the transformation of the Western Balkans, which are: (1) initiative to strengthen the rule of law; (2) initiative to reinforce engagement on security and migration; (3) initiative to enhance support for socio-economic development; (4) initiative to increase transport and energy connectivity; (5) initiative for a digital agenda for the Western Balkans; and (6) initiative to support reconciliation and good neighbourly relations.

A live broadcast of the adoption of the Western Balkans strategy by the College in Strasbourg, with HR/VP Mogherini and Commissioner Hahn, was streamed in the premises of EU Info Centre Albania.  It all followed with a press conference, held by the Head of EU Delegation to Albania, Ambassador Romana Vlahutin, who specifically answered questions from Albanian journalists, regarding the meaning and importance of this new strategy for Albania.

The Ambassador stated that “Albania has already done a lot of work, and as issued in the EC press release as well, it has a real and immediate prospect of moving forward to opening accession negotiations. If we all go back to working even harder, together, to make the everyday life for Albanian citizens safer, better and more prosperous, the more reforms you implement, the sooner you will reach the goal.”