In view of the upcoming European elections and the new five-year term of the European Parliament and the Commission, it is important that the EU and the enlargement countries in the Western Balkans reconfirm their commitment to the latter’s European perspective.

 At the same time it is important to determine ways of further promoting the European agenda of the region including by having a positive direct impact in the lives of citizens, irrespective of or in parallel with progress made in the accession process by their respective countries.

The EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Conference, which will be held at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall on 8 May 2014, should serve this very purpose. Discussions should have both a political and an operational element and thus be divided into two sessions with a working lunch serving as a link between the two.

In the first session, whose theme will be “2004-2014: Ten Years of Enlargement and the European Integration of the Western Balkans” participants will

·         reaffirm the EU’s commitment to the European future of the region and the resolve of the Western Balkan countries to pursue the path of EU-related reforms;

·         discuss achievements and challenges of the enlargement policy with a view to further promoting the European agenda in the Western Balkans

During the working lunch participants will

·         exchange views on how to strengthen the European integration of the Western Balkans in real terms through connectivity in the energy and transport sectors, within the region and with the EU, while promoting growth, competitiveness and employment, in parallel with the accession process of each country;

·         discuss connectivity in broader geostrategic terms

In the second session, whose theme will be “Beyond the Thessaloniki Agenda: Transport and Energy Connectivity” participants will

·         discuss the achievements and opportunities offered by regional fora that can contribute to an EU approach on connectivity in the energy and transport sector;

·         assess the needs of investment in infrastructure in the transport and energy sectors  and exchange views  on  ways  and  means  of  enhancing  cooperation  and  financial  assistance  in  order  to maximise the impact of the combined available funds, including through the establishment of a Strategic Framework for enhanced cooperation and financial assistance;

·         exchange  views  on  the  prospect  of  a  Strategic  Framework  for  enhanced  cooperation  and financial assistance;

·         discuss the role of economic governance in promoting connectivity

PLEASE NOTE

Accreditation badges can be collected at Press Centre, at Thessaloniki Concert Hall, Building M2, CR1 room, on Wednesday 7.5.2014 from 13.00 to 20.00 and on Thursday 8.5.2014 from 8.30 to 19.00 (tel. +30 2310896030 – fax. +30 2310870673).