Slovenia and Slovakia want Western Balkans in EU

The Western Balkans is important for peace in Europe and should be included in the European Union, Slovenian President Danilo Tuerk and his visiting Slovakian counterpart Ivan Gasparovic agreed at their meeting in Brdo Pri Kranju, Slovenia on Monday. Efforts to improve trade and the EU accession of Western Balkan countries, topped talks between Tuerk and Gasparovic.

"Europe will not be whole without the Balkan states," Tuerk said at a joint press conference after the meeting, according to Croatian news agency HINA.

The two presidents discussed a regional conference due to take place in Slovenia Saturday on the EU integration of Southeast Europe and resolution of bilateral problems between countries in the region. Gasparovic said this was a welcome initiative.

Gasparovic said that from the point of view of peace in Europe, it would be best to admit all the Western Balkan countries into the EU at once, but added that that would not be possible because their admission would depend on the achievements of each country individually.

The two presidents also discussed ways of promoting trade between Slovenia and Slovakia.

Source: Xinhua