An EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Conference was hosted by the Greek EU Presidency yesterday (8.05), in Thessaloniki. Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle, foreign affairs ministers for the EU member states and the Western Balkans attended the event, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos. The conference consisted of two sessions.

The Presidency Statement says: During the first session, the unequivocal commitment of the EU to the European perspective of the Western Balkans region was reaffirmed, in line with the 2003 Thessaloniki EU-Western Balkans summit. The second session focused on the issue of transport and energy connectivity between the EU and the Western Balkans as well as within the region. Particular emphasis was placed on cooperation in the EU, regional and international level. The presentation of the current state of play in the fields of transport and energy offered the opportunity for comprehensive and detailed exchange of information on the sectors needs, both in terms of projects and available or potential funding.

Combined with funds from financial institutions, EU funds aim to attract private capital that could finance at least €10 billion of investment in the Western Balkans, targeting key priorities of the beneficiary countries.

See also Greek News Agenda: EU – Western Balkans Conference