Brdo pri Kranju, 6 October 2021 (MIA) - The EU reaffirms its unequivocal support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans and welcomes the commitment of the Western Balkans partners to the European perspective, which is in our mutual strategic interest and remains our shared strategic choice, reads the declaration of the leaders of EU and Western Balkans countries concluded at Wednesday's summit taking place in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia. "The EU reconfirms its commitment to the enlargement process and its decisions taken thereon, based upon credible reforms by partners, fair and rigorous conditionality and the principle of own merits. We will further intensify our joint engagement to take forward the region’s political, economic and social transformation, while acknowledging the progress made by the Western Balkans. We also recall the importance that the EU can maintain and deepen its own development, ensuring its capacity to integrate new members," says the document. In the declaration, the Western Balkans partners reiterate their dedication to European values and principles and to carrying out necessary reforms in the interest of their people. "The EU welcomes the restated commitment of the Western Balkans partners to the primacy of democracy, fundamental rights and values and the rule of law, and to sustaining efforts in the fight against corruption and organised crime, support for good governance, human rights, gender equality and the rights of persons belonging to minorities. The credibility of these commitments depends on the meaningful implementation of necessary reforms, and building a solid track record underpinned by clear and consistent public communication. An empowered civil society and independent and pluralistic media are crucial components of any democratic system and we welcome and support the role they play in the Western Balkans. It is stressed that the EU is by far the region's closest partner, main investor and principal donor. "The unprecedented scale and range of this support must be fully recognised and conveyed by the partners in their public debate and communication." It is pledged that EU support will continue to be linked to tangible progress on the rule of law and socioeconomic reforms, as well as to partners’ adherence to European values, rules and standards. "The EU fully supports the Western Balkans partners’ reaffirmed commitment to inclusive regional cooperation and strengthening good neighbourly relations, including with EU Member States. Implementing bilateral agreements in good faith and with tangible results, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations with Bulgaria, remains important. Further, decisive efforts are required to foster reconciliation and regional stability, as well as to find and implement definitive, inclusive and binding solutions to partners' bilateral disputes and issues rooted in the legacy of the past, in line with international law and established principles, including the Agreement on Succession Issues, and the remaining cases of missing persons and war crimes issues," notes the declaration of the EU-Western Balkans Summit, organized by Slovenia's EU presidency. Regarding the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, the EU leaders say they fully support the efforts of the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues and expect concrete progress by the two Parties on the full normalisation of relations between them, which is critical for the stability and development of the whole region and to ensure that they can continue on their respective European paths. The leaders conclude that the COVID-19 crisis continues to have a severe impact on our societies and economies. It, they say,  highlights the necessity and advantages of our close and effective partnership. "The EU, together with its Member States, has stood by the Western Balkans throughout the pandemic, with health and socio-economic support for the region totalling an unprecedented EUR 3,3 billion so far. Western Balkans partners are closely involved in EU initiatives, notably the Health Security Committee, the Early Warning System, the Green Corridors and the Joint Procurement Agreement for medical countermeasures. The EU stands ready to further improve access to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics and to ensure a better predictability of and resilience to future crises," says the declaration. The EU also recognises the valuable support the Western Balkans have given during the pandemic to each other and towards the EU. "This reflects the solidarity and mutual support the EU is built on. This cooperation and coordination should continue in the future, including throughout the recovery phase," say the leaders. The EU pledges it will continue supporting the Western Balkans resolutely, particularly as regards the supply of vaccines. It is noted that the EU and its Member States have provided 2,9 million vaccine doses through various channels to the Western Balkans, with more to come. The EU will support the vaccination plans of all partners to help reach similar vaccination rates to the EU average by the end of 2021. The declaration recalls that following the Leaders’ call at the Zagreb Summit, the EU put forward an Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) and guidelines for the Implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. The Plan sets out a substantial investment package mobilising some EUR 30 billion for the region over the next seven years, comprised of EUR 9 billion in grant funding and EUR 20 billion in investments, leveraged by the new Western Balkans Guarantee Facility. "Maximising the potential impact of the EIP requires the Western Balkans partners to decisively undertake economic and social reforms as well as to strengthen the rule of law. The plan can spur the region's long-term, green socio-economic recovery and competitiveness, support its green and digital transition, foster sustainable connectivity, regional integration, trade, thereby also strengthening cooperation and convergence with the EU, including with the EU’s climate-related goals," says the document. "We welcome the recent adoption of the legal framework for the implementation of IPA1 III, which will continue to be the key source of financial assistance for the region, including for the EIP," says the declaration adding that the Commission intends to propose an investment package of EUR 600 million under IPA 2021 for the implementation of the EIP for the Western Balkans, subject to procedures in accordance with the IPA III programming framework and implementing rules. Together with the proposal of EUR 500 million announced in July, this would provide a total of EUR 1,1 billion for the implementation of the EIP by the end of 2021. Furthermore, the EU leaders acknowledge the commitment of the Western Balkans leaders to fully implement the Green Agenda. "We welcome the agreement on the related Action Plan. In line with the Green Deal, the Agenda is a key driver for the transition to modern, carbon-neutral, climateresilient and resource-efficient economies, to unlock the potential of circular economy, fight against pollution and improve waste management. Its successful implementation will require a strong commitment from the region. It is essential to focus efforts to ensure a timely and effective transition away from coal through the use of renewable or less carbon-intensive fuels," says the document adding that energy security should also be prioritised, including the diversification of sources and routes. The EU will continue to support the region in the implementation of the Green Agenda, and on the development of a carbon pricing policy in the context of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), including through technical and financial assistance. The EIP, reads the declaration, enables a new momentum to enhance connectivity in all its dimensions, both within the Western Balkans and with the EU. "The EU will continue to support inclusive regional cooperation. Further and decisive efforts by the Western Balkans leaders are needed to deliver on their commitment to establish a Common Regional Market, as agreed at the Berlin Process Summit in Sofia in 2020. This will help advance the region on its European path and will deliver tangible benefits for citizens and businesses. Exploiting the potential of inclusive regional economic integration is essential to boost the socio-economic recovery of the region, and to maximise the benefit from the investments stemming from the EIP," says the leaders noting that a strong commitment is needed by the entire region to conclude the relevant regional negotiations swiftly. The declaration reveals that the EU and the Western Balkans agree to step up efforts to enhance the market integration of the Western Balkans with the EU Single Market. "In this respect, the EIP provides a solid basis to operationalise market integration of the region within the EU Single Market, notably in areas such as cross border payments (SEPA), industrial and consumer goods, ecommerce and customs." Since sustainable transport is a cornerstone of the economic and social integration of the EU and the Western Balkans, it is a priority to further develop the transport connectivity - within the region and with the EU, to improve the efficiency and safety of transport services, and to achieve the objectives of green and sustainable mobility, particularly with regard to rail and inland waterways connectivity, according to the declaration. "In the context of sustainable connectivity, we welcome the recently endorsed Transport Community Action Plans for rail, road, road safety, transport facilitation and waterborne transport." Regarding the Regional Roaming Agreement and the start of the free roaming regime in the Western Balkans as of 1 July 2021, the leaders welcome the roadmap for roaming, which will create the conditions and set clear targets for lowering roaming costs between the EU and the Western Balkans. Also, the leaders welcome the concept of EU-Western Balkans Green Lanes and support its practical application at all relevant borders with full respect for the required EU acquis and procedures. It is announced that a dedicated Agenda for the Western Balkans on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport - "Innovation Agenda for the Western Balkans" - is launched today. It will promote scientific excellence as well as reform of the region’s education systems, create further opportunities for the youth, and help prevent brain drain. Regarding political and security cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans, the leaders re-assert the expectation that partners will further deepen cooperation in the area of Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and make tangible and sustainable progress towards full alignment with EU foreign policy positions and act accordingly, including with positions in international fora as an important part of their European path. "We welcome that some partners are already fully aligned with all CFSP decisions and declarations and encourage them to continue doing so. The EU stands ready to further strengthen political dialogue on matters relating to CFSP," notes the document. It is mentioned that the EU and the Western Balkans share a number of security challenges that demand coordinated action. "We agree to strengthen our cooperation on core security issues, including at operational level, building on the work done under the Sofia Priority Agenda. Our partners pledge to demonstrate their commitment to our shared security and to continue to develop effective instruments for intra-Western Balkans cooperation. They have proven their commitment to CSDP, by contributing to EU missions and operations, and we will work together to further develop their capabilities and capacities, notably through the European Peace Facility. The EU will enhance its engagement also in fields such as space and military mobility to ease access of civil-military assistance to the region in the event of pandemics and natural disasters," EU and regional leaders pledge to reinforce their cooperation to address disinformation and other hybrid threats, originating in particular from third-state actors seeking to undermine the region's European perspective. "The EU and the Western Balkans will reinforce cooperation on resilience-building, on enhancing our collective cyber security and cyber diplomacy and on increasing the impact of our strategic communication. The EU commends its partners for their continued efforts and constructive cooperation on migration, which have delivered clear results, adding that migration management is a joint challenge, which the EU and the Western Balkans need to address together, in close partnership. "Our cooperation in addressing migratory challenges has demonstrated its value and will be further developed. The EU is ready to continue its engagement and strengthen its support through a tailor-made and comprehensive approach. Focus areas should include improvement of asylum systems, tackling migrant smuggling and illegal migration, returns processes, border management, information exchange, and reception capacity. Partners should also work further to enhance return systems, including the conclusion of readmission agreements with key countries of origin. Mutual cooperation on return will be deepened, maximising the use of existing frameworks and available channels. Cooperation should also be intensified with Frontex, the European Asylum Support Office and Europol. The remaining Frontex status agreements should be concluded without delay." Given the seriousness of the situation in Afghanistan, the EU says it will work closely with all its partners, including the Western Balkans to tackle the evolving challenges and coordinate joint responses, as appropriate. "Terrorism, radicalisation and organised crime continue to pose serious security threats to the EU and to the whole region. We call for further strengthening cooperation on counterterrorism and countering violent extremism, including the prevention of the financing of terrorism and of radicalisation. We reiterate the importance of taking resolute action to address serious and organised crime, in particular trafficking and smuggling of human beings, money laundering, drug cultivation and trafficking," it is stressed. Furthermore, the EU says it is fully committed to preventing illicit trade and trafficking in small arms and light weapons and their ammunition. "We will continue to support the Western Balkans in this field, including in the context of the Western Balkans dedicated roadmap against illicit firearms trafficking." To further promote shared interests, the leaders express their readiness to "reinvigorate and enhance regular political dialogue with the region." "In this context, we welcome the holding of EU-Western Balkans Summits as regular events. We look forward to the next summit, which will be held in 2022." The leaders pledge that the EU and the Western Balkans need to work together to face generation-defining tasks. "We welcome the initiatives of the Western Balkans to contribute to the reflections on the future of our continent. We remain committed to listen to all Europeans on the issues that matter for all of us – protecting citizens and freedoms, developing a strong and vibrant economic base, advancing the green and digital transitions, rule of law, fair and social Europe, strengthening Europe’s resilience, as well as Europe’s leading global role. We welcome that our Western Balkans partners align themselves with the above points," concludes the declaration of the EU-Western Balkans Summit.