Enlargement to W.Balkans should be ramp up, EESC asks
'Regional development is a priority for EU stability'
19 April, 16:44"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).