Skopje, 16 December 2024 (MIA) - The enlargement to the Western Balkans is the most important geopolitical investment we can do. That's why the leaders of the 27 European Union member states and the Western Balkans leaders will meet again in Brussels on December 18, European Council President António Costa posted on X. 

"The future of the Western Balkans is in the European Union. The European Union is serious about its commitments. These are not empty words. We are investing in peace and prosperity for all the people in the Western Balkans. We are investing in our common future," Costa said in a brief video posted on X. 

He adds, "in these uncertain times, more than ever we need to work together." 

The EU-Western Balkans Summit will be held on December 18, and it will be the first one to be chaired by the new European Council President, António Costa.  

EU leaders are to adopt a declaration at the end of the Summit, and regional leaders are expected to align with it. Among other, the declaration is to conclude that enlargement is a geostrategic investment in peace, stability and prosperity. 

"There is new dynamic in the enlargement process. Speeding up the accession process, based on fair and rigorous conditionality and the principle of own merits, is in our common interest,"the draft declaration says among other.  

Regional cooperation is also an important part of the joint declaration, underlining that reconciliation, inclusive regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations, including with EU member states, are an integral part of the enlargement process.

The Macedonian delegation at the Summit will be led by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, also including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski and Minister of European Affairs Orhan Murtezani. 

Photo: print screen