Slovenian President: Western Balkans to be part of the EU, hence changing borders

Slovenia's President Borut Pahor at the media conference with Kosovo counterpart Vjosa Osmani said that at the Brdo-Brijun summit, which will be held Monday, he will ask EU member states to continue expanding the European Union in the Western Balkans in order to avoid the idea of changing borders.

“Constitute that among leaders in the Western Balkans, to reducing the European perspective, this is related to slowing the membership of Western Balkan states. EU enlargement is necessary, and that the EU views this space as a whole. This would reinforce people's confidence in the European perspective, promote political will for reform, and avoid the risk of thinking about changes of borders between”, Pahor said.

He said the first test for the EU about European integration in the Balkans will be Monday.

“In the second part Slovenia will lead the EU presidency, I would like some positive moves to be presented in this direction. The first test will be Monday's meeting in Brdo-Bryun. Before the start of the summit, we will also make final talks and the meeting will be a message to the EU and Balkan states”, Pahor said.

Meanwhile, President Vjosa Osmani thanked Slovenia for supporting Kosovo, hinting that Kosovo has met the criteria and that the EU must lift visas for Kosovo.

This is the president's visit to prepare the Brdo-Brijun process on May 17th, where I will represent the Republic of Kosovo and thank the president for the invitation. We talked about the need to accelerate the European integration of the entire region, and I assured him that Kosovo has a priority on EU integration. Reforms to be undertaken for this process are reforms that citizens need because they have to do with better education, the rule of better law Kosovo has met the criteria for visa liberalisation, and now it is up to the EU to keep the promise. The citizens are unfortunately being kept indoors as opposed to others who have benefited from the process. Visa liberalisation for Kosovo at this stage would freeze the credibility of the European Union”, she said.