EU Views Western Balkan States As Privileged Partners In Fight Against Corona Virus

Oliver Varhelyi (Beta/European Commission/Dati Bendo)

The European commissioner for neighborhood policy and enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, stated on May 6, ahead of the summit in Zagreb, that the EU was viewing the Western Balkan countries as privileged partners, enabling them access to many initiatives and instruments of the member countries in the fight against the corona virus.

"We invited the governments to join the EU’s procurement agreement for medical equipment, exempted the region from the export authorization, while the green lanes to facilitate transport of goods were extended to the borders with the region and within it. At the same time, the EU appreciated the support it got from the Western Balkans partners with medical personnel and equipment," Varhelyi wrote in the text for the portal EWB (European Western Balkans).

He pointed out that the Commission had designated financial aid to the Western Balkan partners that amounted to a total of EUR3.3 billion.

"Regional cooperation and good neighborly relations will indeed be key for the economic recovery. So will the continuation of the reforms, which means not just adopting legislation, but actual implementation of measures taken. Focus on the rule of law, functioning of democratic institutions and public administration needs to continue," he added.

The leaders of the EU and of the Western Balkans held the first virtual summit on May 6, about the fight against the corona virus and the region's European prospects. The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, said the summit was sending a strong message about the EU's dedication to the region.