Brussels, 20 October 2021 (MIA) – The office of the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, on Wednesday released a statement following the recent meeting between Borrell and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week in Washington during which the EU and United States agreed to further strengthen their joint engagement in the Western Balkans in support of the region’s progress on its European path, MIA reports from Brussels. The top diplomats of the EU and the U.S. underscored their full support for the EU’s enlargement process. EU accession, according to them, a stated priority for the whole Western Balkans, helps consolidate democratic institutions, protect fundamental rights, and advance the rule of law. “This region belongs in the European Union. Closer integration will enhance stability and contribute to prosperity for the people of the region. In this context, we stress that accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia should start without delay,” reads the joint statement. Discussing the Serbia-Kosovo dispute, Borrell and Blinken reaffirmed that the EU-facilitated Dialogue is the key mechanism to address the comprehensive normalization of relations between the two countries. “After the recent weeks of tension in the north of Kosovo, we encourage both parties to engage in continued and sustained de-escalation and avoid actions that threaten stability,” they said expressing support for Kosovo’s engagement to fight corruption and organized crime, and reiterating that violence against civilians, journalists, police, or other authorities is unacceptable. Referring to Montenegro, they said the EU and the U.S. call on political forces to work together to maintain a strategic orientation that reflects the desire of the people of Montenegro to achieve the reforms necessary to make their hopes for a future in the EU a reality. On Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borrell and Blinked said their countries are united in their firm support for the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in their joint work to promote electoral and constitutional reform and maintain the functionality of its state institutions. “We have serious concerns about increasingly divisive rhetoric in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We call on all parties to respect and protect state institutions, resume constructive dialogue, and take steps to advance progress on the EU integration path – including on relevant reforms. The EU and the United States stand ready to facilitate these steps,” the top diplomats of the EU and the U.S. said in a joint statement.