The participants of the Conference are discussing the role of National Parliaments and the European Parliament for strengthening the European perspective of the Western Balkans, transformative effect of EU accession process on the region – challenges and achievements, importance of interparliamentary and regional cooperation for speeding up reforms in EU acceding countries, and the results of the EU-Western Balkans Summit held under the auspices of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2018, as well as the continued support for the Western Balkans’ EU accession process.

Dubravka Filipovski said that EU accession is Serbia’s strategic objective. It is important to ensure the rule of law and stable economy to be able to attract investments. Speaking of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Serbia has shown tolerance and patience, despite Pristina’s latest provocations. She reminded the attending that it will soon be 2000 days since Pristina has failed to fulfil the only obligation under the Brussels Agreement - to establish the Community of Serb Municipalities. Serbia has shown itself to be a credible and reliable partner to the EU as regards tackling the migrant crisis. Serbia is also committed to regional stability and cooperation and sends messages of peace and dialogue in light of resolving the existing conflicts. The messages from the EU that the enlargement policy will continue are encouraging and 2025 as the year of possible accession is viewed as an achievable goal. That is why the rate of opening negotiation chapters should be sped up to complete the process on time in light of the Serbian administration’s capabilities.

The Interparliamentary Conference, co-organized by the European Parliament and the Bulgarian Parliament, is intended for the members of the national parliaments of the Western Balkans and Turkey, with the participation of MEPs and the members of the national parliaments of Bulgaria, Austria, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Germany and Ireland.

Most members of the national parliaments of EU member states endorsed the idea of speeding up the accession process of the Western Balkans and Turkey.