Skopje, 17 May 2023 (MIA) — The integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union is an investment into the security of Europe, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said at a closed-door panel discussing ways to safeguard and develop democracy in times of crisis, held as part of the Council of Europe's Reykjavik summit.

According to an official press release, PM Kovachevski said countries needed to strongly condemn any aggression against the fundamental principles of international law and order as well as show soidarity and unity in defending moral values.

He also highlighted that the Western Balkan countries' faster EU integration would be an important investment in strengthening the security of Europe.

The panel was co-chaired by Romania's President Klaus Iohannis and Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.

Panelists included European Council President Charles Michel; Slovakia's President Zuzana Čaputová; Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili; Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre; and Prime Minister of Italy Georgia Meloni. mr/