BALKAN PARTNERS HELP KEEP EU SAFE

BRUSSELS, NOVEMBER 4 /SRNA/ – The EU's partners in the Balkans contribute to the bloc's security, above all by supporting missions that protect its borders, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.

Speaking at a news conference, Kallas said enlargement has for years been the most successful part of EU foreign policy and one of the most important investments in Europe's security.

She said Montenegro is closest to the finish line and is expected to sign its accession treaty by the summer, while Albania must keep up its progress by speeding up reforms.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos told the same news conference that the enlargement process had achieved more in the past year than in the previous 25 years.

She said more than 30 negotiating chapters would be opened by the end of the year.

Kos reiterated that Montenegro, Ukraine, Moldova and Albania have made the most progress so far, adding that any candidate country could join them in the so-called first group of the most advanced countries.

She said the European Commission is also introducing a new model for gradual integration as part of its enlargement package.

Kos stressed the link between the security of the EU and that of candidate countries and called for closer coordination.

She said Montenegro has met all the conditions to close its remaining negotiating chapters, that talks could realistically be completed by the end of this year, and that the accession treaty could be signed in June next year at the earliest.