European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasized that the enlargement of the European Union remains a merit-based process, underlining that countries that meet the required criteria advance towards membership.
She particularly praised the progress of Albania and Montenegro on the path to European integration.
Speaking from Tivat, ahead of the start of the EU-Western Balkans summit, Von der Leyen said that there is currently a favorable momentum to accelerate the integration process of candidate countries.
According to her, the fact that enlargement is based on merit should not necessarily mean a slow process.
She called for this process to be made faster, more reliable and more visible to citizens, both in candidate countries and EU member states.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the governments of aspiring countries must explain to their citizens the benefits of EU membership, while member states also have a responsibility to communicate the values and advantages of enlargement.
“Enlargement means more security, more prosperity and a stronger role for Europe on the global stage. The moment is right and we must now turn this momentum into concrete action, and then into membership,” she declared.
Otherwise, Kosovo is being represented at this summit by the acting president, Albulena Haxhiu. /Telegraph/