BRU comes up with a statement, point six: We expect concrete steps in normalising relations between Kosovo, Serbia

Today European Union Leaders ( The EU and its Member States, in consultation with Western Balkan leaders and in the presence of interested regional and international parties, have come up with a joint statement.

At the sixth point of this statement, Kosovo-Serbia dialogue is also mentioned.

“We fully support the efforts of the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other regional issues of the Western Balkans, and expect concrete progress from both sides in the full normalisation of relations between them, which is critical for the stability and development of the entire region and to ensure that they can continue on their respective European path“, it says.

Full statement:

Brdo's Declaration October 6, 2021

We European Union Leaders ( The EU and its Member States, in consultation with leaders of the Western Balkans and in the presence of interested regional and international parties, today we come to the following conclusion:

1. The EU reaffirms its clear support for the Western Balkans European perspective and welcomes the commitment of Western Balkan partners to the European perspective, which is in our mutual strategic interest and remains our common strategic choice. The EU confirms its commitment to the enlargement process and its decisions on this, based on reliable reforms by partners, fair and rigorous conditioning and the principle of its merits. We will further intensify our common commitment to further the region's political, economic and social transformation, while already recognising the progress made by the Western Balkans. We also remember the importance that the EU can sustain and deepen its development, ensuring its capacity to integrate new members.

2. Western Balkan partners reiterate their commitment to European values and principles and the realisation of necessary reforms in the interest of their people. The EU welcomes the repeated commitment of Western Balkan partners to the principle of democracy, fundamental rights and values and rule of law, and the continuation of efforts in fighting corruption and organised crime, support for 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 on building a stable history supported by clear and sustainable public communication. A civil society and independent and pluralistic media are the crucial components of any democratic system, and we welcome and support the role they play in the Western Balkans.

3. The EU so far is the region's closest partner, leading investor and major donor. The unprecedented degree and range of this support should be recognized and conveyed fully by partners in their debate and public communication.

4. EU support will continue to be linked to tangible progress in rule of law and socio-economic reforms, as well as to respect European values, rules and standards by partners.

5. The EU fully supports the renewed commitment of Western Balkan partners to comprehensive regional co-operation and strengthening good neighbourly relations with the EU member states. The trust implementation and tangible results of bilateral agreements remain important, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Treaty for Good Relations with Bulgaria. Further and decisive efforts are needed to promote regional reconciliation and stability, as well as to find and implement final, comprehensive and binding solutions for bilateral disputes and issues between partners rooted in the legacy of the past, in accordance with international law and established principles, including the Agreement on Heritage Affairs and the remaining issues of missing persons and war crimes cases.

6. We fully support the efforts of the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other regional issues of the Western Balkans and expect concrete progress from both sides in the full normalisation of relations between them, which is critical for the stability and development of the entire region and to ensure that they can continue on their respective European roads.

COVID-19

7. COVID-19 crisis continues to have a serious impact on our societies and economies. It stresses the need and advantages of our close and effective partnership. The EU, along with its member states, has been standing near the Western Balkans throughout the pandemic, with health and socioeconomic support for the region, which amounts to an unprecedented value of 3.3 billion euros so far. Western Balkan partners are closely involved in EU initiatives, especially the Health Security Committee, the Early Warning System, the Geldors and the Joint Procurement Agreement for Medical Countermatures. The EU is willing to further improve access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapies and ensure better predictability and resistance to future crises.

8. The EU also appreciates the valuable support the Western Balkans has given during the epidemic of each other and against the EU. It reflects the mutual solidarity and support upon which the EU has risen. This co-operation and co-ordination should continue in the future, including in the recovery phase.

9. The EU will continue to strongly support the Western Balkans, especially in terms of the vaccine supply. The EU and its member states have provided 2.9 million doses of vaccines through different channels for the Western Balkans, with more coming. The EU will support all partners' vaccine plans to help achieve similar vaccine rates with the EU average by the end of 2021.

Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans

10. After the leaders' call at the Zagreb Summit, the EU outlined an Economic Plan and Investment (PEI) and Green Agenda Implementation guidelines for the Western Balkans. The plan stipulates a significant investment package that mobilised around 30 billion euros for the region over the next seven years, comprised of 9 billion euros in grant financing and 20 billion euros in investments, exploited through the new Western Balkans Guarantee tool. The maximumisation of the EPI's potential influence requires that Western Balkan partners firmly undertake economic and social reforms, as well as strengthen rule of law. The plan could foster the recovery and the region's green socioeconomic competitiveness in the long-term plan, support its green and digital transition, foster sustainable inter-connection, regional integration, trade, thus strengthening co-operation and convergence with the EU, including with EU climate-related goals.

11. We welcome the final adoption of the legal framework for implementation of the IPA1 III, which will continue to be the main source of financial assistance for the region, including the PEI. The commission aims to propose a 600m-euro investment package under IPA 2021 for implementation of the EIP for the Western Balkans, according to procedures in line with the framework of the IPA III programme and implementation rules. Along with the proposal of 500m euros announced in July, it would offer a total of 1.1 billion for implementation of the EPI by the end of 2021.

Twelve. Acknowledging the Western Balkan leaders' commitment to fully implementing the Green Agenda, we welcome the agreement on the relevant Action Plan. In line with the Green Agreement, the Agenda is a major driver for transition to modern economy, carbon neutrals, climate resistant and efficient resources, unblocking the potential of the surrounding economy, fighting pollution and improving waste management. Its successful implementation will require a strong commitment from the region. It is essential to focus on providing a timely and effective transition away from coal through the use of renewable or less intense fuels with carbon. Energy security must also become priorities, along with diversification of resources and lines. The EU will continue to support the region in implementing the Green Agenda and the development of a carbon price policy in the context of the EU Mechanism for Enhancing the Debon Borders (CBAM), including through technical and financial assistance.

13. The PEI enables a new momentum to increase connectivity in all its dimensions, both within the Western Balkans and with the EU. The EU will continue to support comprehensive regional co-operation. Further and decisive efforts are needed by Western Balkan leaders to fulfil their commitment to establishing a Common Regional Trade, as agreed at the Berlin Process Summit in Sofia in 2020. This will help advance the region on its European road and provide tangible benefits for citizens and businesses. Exploiting the potential of comprehensive regional economic integration is essential to boost the region's socio-economic recovery and maximize the profit from investments derived from the PEI. A strong commitment is needed from across the region to quickly conclude the respective regional negotiations.

14. The EU and the Western Balkans agree to step up efforts to boost Western Balkan market integration with the Common EU Market. In this respect, The PEI provides a solid basis for operating the region's market integration within the EU Common Market, especially in areas such as cross-border payments (SEPA), industrial and consumer goods, electronic trade and customs.

15. 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 transport links within the region and the EU, to improve the efficiency and security of transport services, as well as to achieve the goals of green and sustainable mobility, especially in terms of railways and internal ties to waterways. In the context of the stable connection, we welcome the recently approved Transport Community Action Plans for railway, road, road safety, transport relief and water transport.

16. Based on the successful implementation of the Regional Ringing Agreement and the launch of the non-roaring regime in the Western Balkans since July 1st, 2021, we welcome the road map for Ringing, which will create the conditions and goals clearly defined for reducing the cost of roting between the EU and the Western Balkans.

17. We welcome the concept of the EU-Western Balkans Turkey Corsies and support its practical implementation on all relevant borders by fully respecting the acquis and the required EU procedures.

18. Today, an Agenda for Invention, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sports is presented for innovation for the Western Balkans. It will promote scientific perfection, as well as reforming the region's educational systems, will create further opportunities for young people, and will help prevent brain drain phenomena. We look forward to the rapid implementation of his Mass Plan.

Political and Security Co-operation

Nineteen. Standing together with the EU is a clear sign of our partners' strategic orientation. Therefore, we reiterate our expectations that partners will further deepen co-operation in the area of the Joint Foreign and Security Policy (PPJS) and make concrete and sustainable progress towards full approach with EU foreign policy positions and will act respectively, including positions at international forums as an important part of their European path. We welcome that some partners are already fully in line with all PPJS decisions and statements and encourage them to continue doing so. The EU is ready to further strengthen political dialogue on issues related to PPJS.

20. The EU and the Western Balkans share a set of security challenges that require co-ordinated action. We agree to strengthen our co-operation on key security issues, including at the operational level, based on the work done under the Sofia Priories Agenda. Our partners promise to demonstrate their commitment to our common security and continue to develop effective instruments for co-operation within the Western Balkans. They have proven their commitment to the CSDP, contributing to EU missions and operations, and we will work together to further develop their capabilities and capacities, especially through the European Peace Instrument. The EU will increase its commitment even in areas such as military space and mobility to facilitate access to civilian-military aid in the region in the case of pandemics and natural disasters.

21. We will reinforce our co-operation in addressing dezinformation and other hybrid threats that stem, especially from actors from third states, who seek to undermine the region's European perspective. The EU and the Western Balkans will reinforce co-operation in building resistance, increasing our cyber security and cyber diplomacy and increasing the impact of our strategic communication.

22. We commend our partners for their continued efforts and constructive co-operation on migration, which have produced clear results. Migration management is a common challenge, which the EU and the Western Balkans must address together in close partnership.

23. Our co-operation in addressing migration challenges has demonstrated its value and will develop further. The EU is ready to continue its commitment and strengthen its support through a special and comprehensive approach. Focus areas should include improving asylum systems, treating migrants smuggling and illegal migration, returns processes, border management, exchange of information and waiting capacity. Partners must work even further to improve the returns systems, including linking readmission agreements with key countries of origin. Bilateral co-operation for return will deepen, maximize the use of existing frames and channels available. Co-operation should also be intensified with Frontex, the European Office for Asylum Support and Europol. The agreements have yet to be signed by Frontex status agreements must be signed without delay.

24. Given the seriousness of the situation in Afghanistan, the EU will work closely with all its partners, including the Western Balkans, to address developing challenges and to co-ordinate common answers, in the case.

25. Terrorism, radicalisation and organised crime continue to pose serious security threats for the EU and the entire region. We call for further strengthening of co-operation in the fight against terrorism and fighting violent extremism, including preventing the financing of terrorism and radicalisation. We reiterate the importance of taking decisive measures to address serious and organised crime, in particular the trafficking and smuggling of human beings, money laundering, cultivation and drug trafficking.

26. The EU is fully committed to preventing illegal trade and trafficking of small and light arms and their ammunition, and will continue to support the Western Balkans in this area, including in the context of the dedicated Western Balkans guide against illegal arms trafficking in firearms.

27. To further promote our common interests, we express our willingness to renew and increase regular political dialogue with the region. In this context, we welcome keeping EU-Western Balkans citizens as regular events. We look forward to the upcoming summit, which will be held in 2022.

28. The EU and the Western Balkans must work together to cope with tasks that are determining for generations. We welcome Western Balkan initiatives to contribute to reflections on the future of our continent. We remain committed to listening to all Europeans on issues that matter for all of us the protection of citizens and freedoms, the development of a solid and living economic base, the advancement of green and digital transition, rule of law, fair and social Europe, strengthening Europe's resistance, and the leading global role of Europe.

29. Hail the fact that our Western Balkan partners agree with the above points