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Enlargement to W.Balkans should be ramp up, EESC asks

'Regional development is a priority for EU stability'

19 April, 16:44
(ANSA) - BRUXELLES, 19 APR - The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) recommends that the enlargement strategy of the European Union to the Western Balkans "remains one of the priorities" of the European agenda and calls on the Commission for "specific programmes for a faster social and economic" integration of the whole region. EESC adopted this opinion at the plenary session on April, 19th, in Brussels, two days after the approval of the Enlargement annual report by the European Commission.

"It is estimated that full convergence" of the Western Balkans "with EU living standards could take as long as 40 years", EESC pointed out, urging Brussels officials to ramp up their efforts and focus on offering young people from the region "more opportunities for education and work".

"Promoting EU values in the region guarantees security and stability, enhances social and economic development, as well as democracy and the rule of law in these countries. And this, in turn, means stability and security to the EU" Andrej Zorko, rapporteur for the EESC's opinion, underlined.

On May, 15th, EESC will hold a conference in Sofia with representatives of civil society organisations from the EU and the Western Balkans to contribute to the EU-Western Balkans Heads of State and Government Summit which will be held in Bulgaria's capital city two days later.(ANSA).

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