Mogherini: We'll Regret not Admitting Entire Balkans into EU

Federica Mogherini (BETA/MILOS MISKOV)

Federica Mogherini, outgoing EU high representative for foreign and security policy, has urged the European Union to retain a strong presence in the West Balkans in order to achieve the clear interest of admitting the entire Balkans into the EU.

I am convinced that, if we do not do so, we will regret in within years, Voice of America quoted Mogherini as saying on Sept. 2.

At an annual EU ambassador conference in Brussels, Mogherini said the West Balkans joining the EU was a matter of reunification of the entire continent, which both the Balkans and the EU need.

We have a clear interest in admitting the entire Balkans in the EU. We all know it's a long, complicated, always interesting and vital process which will require a lot of time, problem solving and much political commitment from all sides, as well as resolution, Mogherini said.

According to Mogherini, this will require courage, leadership and tenacity, and retaining a strong and consistent presence in the region, on a daily basis.

Mogherini said including the West Balkans would hit many goals.

In the first place, reconciliation. This is the only place where enlargement comes back to the original values of forming the EU, which are creating peace where there once was war, Mogherini stressed.