"The EU has no security without the BP", Marta Kos: Countries in the region must have the same pace in fulfilling reforms

2025-11-21 10:26:00, Politikë CNA

"The EU has no security without the BP", Marta Kos: Countries in the

European Union Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, delivered her speech at the opening of the Growth Agenda summit. The Commissioner stated that the issue of enlargement is increasingly about security and stressed that Europe cannot be secure without the Western Balkans.

She said that the Western Balkans region is part of Europe, but this must also be done institutionally. Kos stated that all countries in the region must move at the same pace in fulfilling reforms, which accelerate the integration process.

The Commissioner also stated that there is a lack of progress in regional economic integration, adding that a common regional market would grow the countries' economies by 10%.

"It is a pleasure and an honor to be here just after we published the EU enlargement package. This issue is increasingly about security. And the EU cannot be secure without the Western Balkans. These meetings on the Growth Plan are opening more and more doors. Your home, Europe, is waiting for you. You are part of Europe, but we must also make it institutional. Today we are here to assess what has gone well with the Growth Plan. Now is the right time to talk. But two of the countries in the region have not yet started implementing reforms, while two others have implemented over 50% of the agreed reforms.

As for the funds, we are still below 10% of the total amount, the total, 400 million euros out of a package of 6 billion euros that have been set aside for the region, we can do more and we must do more. The EC wants the growth plan to be successful. I have spoken about the need to integrate all our neighbors in all and more different areas of EU policies.

We want the EU to be a tangible reality for your citizens today. In some areas, this work has taken shape. Albanians, Montenegrins and Macedonians benefit from SEPA funds. But we want you all to move forward equally, no one is left behind. You are all part of the EU. In June, the one-year period for waiting for unfulfilled reforms will expire. We are lacking progress in regional economic integration. A common regional market would grow your economies by 10%. The reforms we have agreed on are not easy, but they accelerate integration. Let's talk about how our instruments attract foreign investors to the region," Kos said. /CNA