Addressing the leaders of the EU and the Western Balkan countries, President Gitanas Nausėda underlined Lithuania’s support for intensifying EU engagement with the region. The Head of State stressed that closer cooperation requires alignment of the Western Balkans’ positions with the EU’s foreign and security policy, and called on the leaders of the Western Balkan countries to implement the EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus and to prevent their circumvention.
“If we want peace and stability in Europe, we need to support Ukraine with all our efforts. If Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is not stopped, Europe will face new attempts by Russia to ignite conflicts and create strife in its neighbors, including in the Western Balkans,” the President pointed out.
The Lithuanian leader underlined the importance of EU enlargement for the prosperity of Europe as a whole, and stressed that Lithuania supports the enlargement process towards the Western Balkans, based on the implementation of reforms, especially in the areas of the fight against corruption, the rule of law, and judicial independence.
The President added that the promotion of regional cooperation and good relations between the Western Balkan countries also continue to be important. Gitanas Nausėda urged Serbia and Kosovo to work towards de-escalating tensions and returning to constructive dialogue.
At the summit, the EU and Western Balkan leaders adopted a joint declaration.
