Integration of WB remains EU crucial goal, Mogherini and WB leaders say

NEWS 29.10.201923:20
Tanjug/PREDSEDNISTVO SRBIJE

Federica Mogherini, the outgoing European Union High Commissioner for Foreign and Security Policy and the Western Balkans (WB) leaders, her guests at the farewell dinner in Brussels, agreed that the region’s integration into the bloc remained a crucial common goal, the Beta news agency reported on Tuesday.

 An EU statement following the talks at the dinner which also had a working character, said they exchange opinions on the EU and Western Balkans relationship and the events developing in the region.

Both Mogherini and WB’s leaders said they were sorry about the European Council’s failure to set a date for the opening the accession negotiations with Skopje and Tirana and agreed that the region’s integration into the bloc was in the common interest of the Western Balkans and the EU. 

„The Western Balkans partners reiterated their firm commitment to the EU membership perspective, the necessary reforms on that road, which are above all for the benefit of their citizens, as well as for the regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations,” the statement said.

Earlier, Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic presented Mogherini with a bouquet of white orchids for all she, according to him, did for Serbia during her five-year mandate and reiterated Belgrade’s commitment to the EU full membership.

Besides Vucic, Mogherini hosted Montengro’s President Milo Djukanovic, Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci, North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and all three members of the Bosnia’s