Von Der Leyen welcomes agreement for CEFTA: It is step towards normalisation

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed unblocking the decision-making in CEFTA and advancing Kosovo's status of representation in this regional co-operation mechanism.

Following the Berlin Process summit, Von der Leeyen also cited the removal of restrictions on entry into Kosovo of Serbian goods.

She said these actions are useful for normalisation in the Western Balkans.

In addition, speaking of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, she said five of the six agencies of the region's approved reforms would be adopted this week by the EU.

She said the first payment of the 6 billion-euro package would take place before the end of the year.

Otherwise, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has also warned of increasing China's influence in the region, citing the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between China and Serbia.

“Accessibility is necessary for the Berlin Process, but we need to guard against foreign influence, especially from China, which has invested deep in our northern neighbour by signing the Free Trade Agreement and a pledge for a common future with China. The EU needs to make sure that EU funds are linked to EU values ʹ is the Berlin Process that brings our region closer to the EU, not the “Beijing Process”, which leads to BRICS”, has declared Kurti.

“Kosovo has been and will be a reasonable voice and a flag in this process, but we must not just stand in pushing forward and protecting fundamental EU values”, Kurti added.