Leaders of Brdo-Brijuni Process Pass Declaration on EU Accession, Climate and Youth

EU-Western Balkans Summit (BETAPHOTO/European Council/Alexandros Michailidis)

The leaders of the countries participating in the Brdo-Brijuni Process adopted a declaration in Skopje on Sept. 11 in which they pledge to step up strategic dialogue with European Union institutions in order to speed up the accession process, accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources and boost energy efficiency, and work on keeping youth in the region.

"We pledge, by reiterating our position on the EU enlargement policy and European Union membership perspective of the Western Balkans as the most direct contributor to the maintenance of peace and stability, and more than ever a geopolitical issue, to intensify the strategic dialogue with the EU institutions with the aim of speeding up the EU accession process and prevent[ing] the region being left behind," the leaders state in the declaration.

In order to reach that goal, the EU and Western Balkans should be ready for enlargement as quickly as possible and no later than 2030, the document states further.

The leaders stressed the importance of comprehensive political, economic and social reforms ahead of EU accession, and the importance of regional cooperation and good neighborly relations, undertaking to work together to nurture an atmosphere of mutual trust, understanding and solidarity, and a commitment to peaceful and lasting solutions to any remaining bilateral issues.

On the subject of fighting climate change and curbing its effects, the leaders advocate facing the challenges of climate change, carrying out green transition and encouraging green growth, along with increasing energy diversification and moving to producing energy from renewable sources.

The Skopje declaration was endorsed by the presidents of Croatia and Slovenia, Zoran Milanovic and Natasa Pirc Musar, the presidents of Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo, Aleksandar Vucic, Jakov Milatovic, Stevo Pendarovski, Bajram Begaj and Vjosa Osmani, and by the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zeljko Komsic, Denis Becirovic and Zeljka Cvijanovic.