Ibrahimović in Rome: Western Balkans in the EU as a common interest, expanding investments in security

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović participated today in Rome in a meeting of foreign ministers from the Friends of the Western Balkans Group and Western Balkans foreign ministers with the European Commission.

The meeting was hosted by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani and attended by foreign ministers from the Western Balkans and EU member states in the Friends of the Western Balkans Group, as well as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

The discussions emphasized that integrating the Western Balkans into the European Union will contribute to enhancing collective security, while accelerating the accession process remains a shared priority for both the EU and candidate countries.

Key topics included the strengthening of cooperation with Western Balkan countries, accelerating accession negotiations, and setting common priorities for the next phase of the integration process.

Participants at the high-level meeting agreed on the importance of gradual integration based on individual merit, ensuring that citizens of the region can experience tangible benefits of EU membership even before formal accession.

High Representative Kaja Kallas emphasized that Western Balkan nations are now crucial partners in advancing collective security. She underscored the need to enhance the resilience of the region to effectively address hybrid threats and emerging challenges.

EU enlargement is a shared interest and represents an investment in security, Kallas stated.

Despite various challenges, participants reiterated that EU enlargement remains one of the Union’s most successful policies. They affirmed their full support for the Western Balkans in continuing key reforms and advancing towards membership.

Minister Ibrahimović stressed the importance of keeping the Western Balkans at the top of the EU agenda, recognizing the Friends of the Western Balkans Group as a key driver in strengthening the region’s European perspective.

He expressed gratitude to his counterparts for maintaining this cooperation framework, which he described as a clear signal that the Western Balkans belongs in the EU.

A strong European Union is more necessary to the world today than ever before, and momentum for enlargement is building. We cannot afford delays. Any distraction or missed opportunity that threatens the European integration process benefits third parties. We have a shared responsibility to seize this moment. This is what the people of Montenegro expect from us, as well as our international partners and allies who stand by us, Ibrahimović concluded.