BRUSSELS – The European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) said in Brussels on Tuesday the Western Balkans must remain a priority for the EU, and urged the EU to boost its presence in the region.
During a debate, MEPs said that unfinished reconciliation, the fragile inter-ethnic relations, the threat of Islamic radicalisation, the growing Russian influence, as well as insufficient political dialogue and a lack of media freedom, are issues that remain open across the Western Balkans.
They discussed the heightened tensions in the region, including issues such as the Belgrade-Pristina ties and the “train case”, as well as the post-election situation in Macedonia and growing ethnic divisions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Western Balkans is a strategic priority for the EU as it is situated at the heart of Europe and surrounded by member states, they noted.