Tirana, 28 February, 2024
The first Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Development and Dialogue of the Republic of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, participated in the ministerial meeting for the Growth Plan organized in Tirana, where Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers for European Integration from the countries of the Western Balkans were present.
In this meeting, the next steps, opportunities, priorities and main challenges in the implementation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans were discussed.
The importance of regional cooperation within the new Growth Plan, for the expansion and accelerated integration in EU programs, institutions and policies, was emphasized. Support was also expressed for the further economic alignment of the Western Balkans with the EU Single Market, through the EU enlargement process, as a mutual benefit for the region and for the EU itself.
For his part, Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi underlined that there should be good coordination and lines of communication between the states of the region, where everyone is equal and benefits equally. He also emphasized the importance of a standardized evaluation process of countries’ advancement, fulfillment of obligations and alignment with the EU. The convergence of our region with the European Union must happen parallel to the convergence within the Western Balkans, said the Deputy Prime Minister. He also mentioned the necessity of not blocking each other in this journey.
The discussion between the parties also focused on cooperation in the fields of technology and innovation, facilitation of commercial exchange and transport, as well as the importance of joining the Single Euro Payment Area (SEPA).
Last modified: March 5, 2024
