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SARAJEVO, April 30 (FENA) - BiH Deputy Foreign Minister Josip Brkić participated in a videoconference of Western Balkans foreign and European integration ministers with European Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Várhelyi.
Brkić stressed the importance of continuing the implementation of reforms with a view to joining the EU as soon as possible. He said that the European Union has once again proven itself to be a strategic partner in the fight against the spread of coronavirus and hoped that it would also be in a period of economic recovery, which would take a lot of time and money.
He welcomed the European Union's approach to discuss concrete projects at national or regional level as soon as possible, with the forthcoming summit in Zagreb to be the first occasion.
During the conference, Várhelyi briefed ministers on yesterday's decision of the European Commission announcing more than EUR 3.3 billion in financial support from the EU and the European Investment Bank to the countries of the Western Balkans.
He stressed that this support aims to address the current health and humanitarian needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to assist the social and economic recovery of the region.
The announced financial support came ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit, which will be held on May 6, under Croatia's EU Council Presidency, to further strengthen support for the region.
He also added that the EU will continue to work on preparing an economic and investment plan for the region in order to address the socio-economic impact of the crisis on the modernization of the region's economy, and continue to support reforms to narrow the gap in the region's development.
He said that by deciding to help the Western Balkans, the European Union once again reaffirmed the close partnership and importance it attaches to the region, announcing at the same time the continuation of reforms necessary to move towards the European Union, the BiH Foreign Ministry announced.
(FENA) A. B.
