Borrell urges W Balkan leaders to take bold decisions to advance EU aspirations

NEW YORK - EU foreign policy and security chief Josep Borrell hosted an informal meeting with Western Balkans leaders, including Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, on Wednesday in New York in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly session.

In a statement, the European External Action Service said Borrell had reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to "supporting the Western Balkans on their European path, highlighting that enlargement remains a top priority for the EU."

"Borrell highlighted that the Western Balkans is an integral part of Europe’s future. He emphasised the importance and strength of EU-Western Balkans ties, and reiterated that EU membership is within reach, provided that the key reforms are pursued with renewed focus," the statement said.

"The meeting was an opportunity to recall the need to resolve existing bilateral disputes. High Representative Borrell underlined the importance of good neighbourly relations achieved through dialogue and compromise as essential steps toward the EU integration. The leaders must take bold, strategic decisions to advance their European aspirations."

Borrell and the Western Balkans leaders "discussed the importance of strengthening resilience, emphasising the need for strategic alignment with the European Union to safeguard regional stability," the statement also said.

"The discussion centred on the pressing geopolitical challenges, particularly the damaging impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and China’s efforts to expand its economic influence," it said.