(ANSA) - BELGRADE - The need to accelerate the process of EU enlargement in the Balkans was underlined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has organized a regional conference in Berlin. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Merkel said that this meeting was organised by her government in order to celebrate in the best way the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, the anniversary of the start of World War II and the end of the Cold War. ''The fact that all eight premiers, foreign ministers and ministers of the economy met today proves that the region has made considerable progress and that the EU Commission and the member states intend to continue to support the European perspective of the Balkans'', the Chancellor said.

Angela Merkel stressed in particular the progress made in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and urged the Bosnian leadership to deepen the reform process, to catch up on the path towards European integration. (ANSA)