Ljubljana - The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu opened the Civil Society High Level Conference, dubbed Continuing the success story of EU enlargement – Bringing benefits to the Western Balkans in advance of accession, together with Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, and Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, via video message, in Ljubljana today. The Conference focused on the current role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in the region and their inclusion in the accession process. 

"Under the weight of various consecutive crises the EU’s “cold feet” were often met with our region’s reform fatigue and unconvincing reform records, creating a lot of vicious instead of virtuos circles. Until the aspirations of around 18 million citizens for a stronger Union that can be more, with Western Balkans firmly in its fold, materialise, the Common Regional Market (CRM) is bringing the region closer together, and to the EU Single Market, both fast-tracking the much-needed convergence between the WB and EU. This is where RCC is putting its undivided focus. But we're running against the clock and concrete impacts and more sizeable investments must be felt on the ground as soon as possible," said Bregu opening the Conference.

"As we watch with hope that the future of the upcoming elections unfold positively, despite our inability to directly shape it we also expect of the next Enlargement Commission an agile, decisive, credible, predictable, irreversible completion of generational aspirations for our region’s EU integration. Europe focused on people, one that is adaptable, reformed, revitalised, and inclusive, with our region firmly integrated, remains the optimal investment in peace and security for the entire continent," added Bregu.

Marking 20 years since the biggest EU enlargement so far, the conference co-organised by the EESC and Open Society Organisation gathered civil society representatives from the Western Balkans for a discussion on needed reforms in the region and in the EU to maintain enlargement policy as one of the most important EU success stories. Following today's discussion, the CSOs will adopt conclusions addressed to national authorities and European institutions.

More info on the event