Minister Donohoe attends EU-Western Balkans conference in Greece

7th May, 2014

Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe, TD, is attending an EU conference on the future of the Western Balkans today and tomorrow (Wednesday and Thursday) in Thessaloniki, Greece.

 

The EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Conference will focus on the path to membership of the six countries of the region; Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Albania.

 

Speaking before the conference the Minister said:

 

“It is increasingly important for us to work actively to generate stability and prosperity in our neighbouring regions. During the conference, the focus will be on what we in the EU can do to support the countries of the Western Balkans in undertaking political and economic reforms and preparing to become members of the Union.

 

“As we celebrate the ten year anniversary of the largest ever EU enlargement, it is timely to look to the next wave of countries seeking to join the Union.”

 

The conference is taking place in Thessaloniki, under the Greek Presidency of the EU. Thessaloniki is the place where, in 2003, the EU gave a commitment to support the countries of the Western Balkans on their paths towards joining the Union.

 

As well as attending the conference, the Minister will be holding bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the region.

 

ENDS