Sofia Declaration With 17 Points of Support for region

The leaders of the European Union and EU member states, in consultation with partners from the Western Balkans, today adopted the Sofia Declaration at 17 points.

It repeats clear support for the region's European perspective and outlines the tasks and principles that the parties must meet during the European integration process.

The annex of the Declaration concerning strengthening ties and co-operation between the EU and the Western Balkans has also been adopted.

“The EU welcomes the joint engagement of Western Balkan partners in European values and principles of stable and united Europe, supported by our historical, cultural and geographical ties and our common political, security and economic interests”, said at the first point in this document. Remembering the 2003 Thessaloniki summit The EU reiterates its clear support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

“Based on the progress that has been made, Western Balkan partners confirm their commitment to the European perspective as strong strategic elections and intensify their efforts and mutual support. The credibility of these efforts depends on clear information from the public,” said in the Declaration. Similarly, the EU is said to be determined to strengthen and intensify engagement at all levels to support the region's political, economic and social transformations, including increased assistance, given progress made by Western Balkan partners in the area of rule of law and socio-economic reforms. “The EU welcomes the commitment of Western Balkan partners to the rule of democracy and rule of law, particularly in the fight against corruption and organised crime, good governance and respect for human rights and minority rights”, further said in the Declaration, adding that effective implementation of reforms is also based on these issues, and that civil society and independent media play a key role in the democratisation process. The EU supports the commitment of Western Balkan partners to continue with establishing good interethnic relations, regional stability and mutual co-operation.

This includes, in particular, finding and implementing defined, comprehensive and binding solutions to their bilateral disputes, rooted in the legacy of the past, as well as further efforts to reconcile”, said the Declaration.