Fresh from his general election victory, Prime Minister Robert Abela attended the European Union-Western Balkans Summit held in Tivat, Montenegro. During this Summit, Leaders discussed how to further strengthen the collaboration between the European Union and the region at a time of increasingly complex geopolitical challenges.
During the meetings, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of the Member States of the European Union and those of the Western Balkans continuing to work together to strengthen the security, stability and resilience of the entire continent. He maintained that through open dialogue, concrete cooperation and strong partnerships, Europe will be in a better position to address the current challenges while building a more secure future for its citizens.
“In the realities we are living in, with the challenges arising from the wars between Ukraine and Russia and those in the Arabian Gulf, the complexity for our continent is increasing. And so certainly the way forward is certainly that of broadening our cooperation with the world. And this region is strategically one of the most important for us to consolidate the continent, strengthen unity and prosperity for our peoples,” the Prime Minister reiterated.
The discussions during this Summit also focused on the progress in the integration process of the Western Balkan countries with the European Union, as well as on initiatives that are bringing concrete benefits to citizens and businesses in the region. The Prime Minister stressed that closer cooperation between the EU and these countries is very important to strengthen the economic situation, democratic resilience and European security.
“The way forward is to continue to support these countries in their journey to remain close to the European Union and so that when the time is right, that is, when all the necessary reforms take place and they meet the established criteria as we all had to meet, they can also join our family,” said Prime Minister Robert Abela.
