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Author: WeBalkans

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opens Tunnel Ivan

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

At a ribbon cutting ceremony at Tunnel Ivan today, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Zoran Tegeltija officially opened Tunnel Ivan and the Tarčin – Ivan subsection. This marks another step forward in building Corridor 5c, the largest and most significant infrastructure project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, improving connectivity in the country and between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union as well as the region.  
President von der Leyen is in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of a visit to the EU’s six Western Balkans partners. The visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina takes place in the context of the European Commission’s recent recommendation of candidate status for the country. In meetings with the BiH Presidency, Chairman Tegeltija and Members of the Presidency elect as well as during a major speech before BiH political representatives, representatives of civil society, culture and the business community, President von der Leyen underlined that Bosnia and Herzegovina belongs in the European Union.

Statement by President von der Leyen on the occasion of her official visit to Serbia

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

Mr President, dear Aleksandar,  
It is wonderful to be back here in Serbia. I am very glad to be at this very special place, which I think shows the profound bonds we do have and our great cooperation. Today, we are watching the progress of the interconnector between Serbia and Bulgaria. It is great to see that this important project is taking shape. Indeed, you have just mentioned the funding that is coming from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank. It is round about 80%. And what we want to see is not only gas flowing from Bulgaria to Serbia, but this project will be one step further to bring us closer to each other. It will open Serbia’s gas market for diversification. It will improve Serbia’s energy security. And it will be important to see that we are very much looking forward to having this project now completed in hopefully one year. So we will press on both sides – I know that it takes two to tango, in this project, too – so that we are on time, because it is needed. We need to diversify our gas supplies. We see that dependency that is too much focused on Russian gas is not good. We have felt it bitterly during the last months. So the diversification away to reliable suppliers is paramount for us.  
I am very glad that we are also here today with an energy project, because we are already together in an Energy Union. By that I mean that, whatever the European Union does, the Western Balkans are included because we are so much interconnected that, in our Energy Union, whatever the one or the other does has an influence on us. If something happens in the European Union, it has an influence in the Western Balkans. If here something, for example an improvement with the gas interconnector, happens, it has a positive influence for the whole European Union because we are in an Energy Union.  
And we have been working very hard during the last months in this Energy Union to master the energy crisis. Just a reminder for you: Russia has cut 100 billion cubic metres of gas and we have been able to compensate. We have been able to compensate by diversifying away to other reliable suppliers. Now, we invite everyone, and Serbia too, to join us in our EU joint procurement of gas because we want to use our market power as the Energy Union to achieve better results on the global market where there is a lot of competition for gas, mainly LNG, and to be there as a European Energy Union exerting our market power for better results on the prices.  
You are here in Serbia as affected as the rest of the European Union by the difficulties we have in the energy market overall. So there is another step that we are taking forward. We have decided that we want to take two steps: One is a short-term support, not only for the Member States, but also for the Western Balkans. And here, I am happy to announce that EUR 165 million in grants for immediate budget support are available for Serbia. And I think this is absolutely necessary so that Serbia, like other countries, is able to support vulnerable families, vulnerable households and vulnerable businesses, small and medium enterprises, so that they can cope with the high energy prices. But this is not a long-term solution. It is not a sustainable solution. What we need is investment.  
And therefore, Mr President, dear Aleksandar, the second part, I think, is at least as important. These are EUR 500 million in grants in investment in infrastructure. Infrastructure like we see it here. Infrastructure that is badly needed. For example, if I may quote a few topics that are on our list, the Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor – that is fascinating. It is going to be electricity from Italy to Bulgaria via Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina. All of it will be interconnected so that we can help each other, that we can serve each other and that we are never going to be again in such a bottleneck situation as we are today.  
Another project that is very dear to my heart is that we want to support Serbia together in building a new, a modern and more energy-efficient University Children’s Hospital in Belgrade. This is a project on which I am very glad that we can advance together. Let me give you one figure: 40% of the emissions we lose go through buildings that are badly insulated. So the other way round is also true: The better, the more energy efficient we build buildings, the better it is for the climate. But of course, the better it is also for our energy efficiency. This hospital should be completed by 2025.  
And then indeed what I just saw, and Mr President, you explained to me the third element that is so important, that is the gas interconnector between Serbia and North Macedonia. Here too, this will allow to complete the region. All this is in our projects and in this package.  
Finally, a last point: This energy crisis stems from the atrocious war that Russia is leading against Ukraine. And this war is redefining the security landscape of our entire continent. So it is for the European Union of utmost importance to invest even further in our Western Balkan partners – more than ever before because these investments are investments for the future. They are investments in peace. They are investment in the stability, in the prosperity of our shared continent. And let me assure you that the European Union is and will remain Serbia’s most important political and economic partner.  
Due to the good progress that was made in the past, Serbia is one of the most advanced countries on the European path. And as you know, we want you to take now the next further very important steps towards the European Union. We know the topics, we will discuss them later bilaterally – be it the independence and the accountability of the judiciary or the fight against corruption. I know that you are very engaged in that. And may I thank you, Mr President, for your latest announcement that the Serbian visa policy will be aligned with that of the European Union by the end of the year. This is an important announcement, many thanks for that. This is absolutely the right direction to head forward.  
Last but not least, we will have tonight a bilateral meeting. I think there are other topics on the agenda. If I may express a deep wish, that is the wish that we will have progress in the Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. Here too, I know it is always necessary to have two sides. But we all know by experience that only with dialogue are we able to solve conflicts and to move forward in an acceptable way for all of us. So my comment in the very end is: I know that Serbia’s future is in the European Union. I know that our European Union is not complete without Serbia. We share the same commitment to our common European future. Therefore, let us continue the hard work for this common future.  
Thank you very much for having invited me here today.

Maintaining standards as the crème de la crème

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in Stories.

A dairy company in Bosnia and Herzegovina improves its production process with the help of the EU.

Meggle BH is one of the most successful companies in the production of dairy products on the market in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thanks to the introduction of innovative approaches to their work, and compliance with high production standards, a blue clover on white dairy product packaging is now a household name for quality all over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Meggle group has a long tradition in dairy production, having been founded in 1887 by Josef Anton Meggle from Bavaria.

“Given the demands of local and foreign markets, we needed to modernise the plant and expand the capacity for fresh cheese and kajmak cream production, so we did, by installing state-of-the-art equipment, for part of which we received support through the EU4AGRI project.”

Meggle was introduced to the Bosnian market in the early nineties. Initially, they imported and distributed Meggle products. Soon, the company started to make plans to launch production facilities in the country, and at the beginning of the 2000s they bought a dairy factory in Bihać and established themselves as a dairy production company. Meggle BH offers more than 150 products in its product range; its homemade milk, yogurt, kefir, sour cream, cooking cream, kajmak, buttercream, and other products hold a special place in many households.

Jadranka Penava joined Meggle at the very beginning of their operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the beginning of the nineties and is now the CEO of Meggle BH. She explains that the Bosnian market received them warmly from the beginning, and they have had continuous success and steady growth in the country since the start of their operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “Last year we collected 50 million litres of milk from our 2,500 farmers across the country whom we consider to be a very important part of our business because if you don’t have quality milk in the neighbourhood then you cannot be successful in this business,” says Jadranka.

During 2021, with the support of the EU4AGRI project, the company improved its production processes by purchasing a modern machine for packaging fresh cheese and kajmak. The capacities of the old production and packaging machine for cheese and kajmak were 1,800 tubs per hour, while the new one has a capacity of 3,200 to 4,100 tubs of different weights, in the same period of time. It also allows for packaging of products in various forms of tubs, which is essential when placing products on the market. “Given the demands of local and foreign markets, we needed to modernise the plant and expand the capacity for fresh cheese and kajmakproduction, so we did, by installing state-of-the-art equipment, for part of which we received support through the EU4AGRI project.” explains Jadranka.

“As a leader in the BiH market, Meggle is expected to meet market needs, and improve and develop production processes, as well as to have ongoing launches of new and innovative products. This investment helps us very much in this regard.”

About the project

The EU4AGRI project is a four-year initiative (2020-2024) aimed at modernising the agri-food sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, creating new jobs, as well as retaining existing ones, and supporting recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. The total value of the project is €20.25 million, mainly funded by the European Union, but jointly implemented and co-financed by the Czech Development Agency and the United Nations Development Programme in BiH.

The EU4AGRI project has so far supported BiH farmers and enterprises with 45 investments worth nearly €5.5 million, of which over €3.2 million was financed by the European Union.

The purchase of a new machine also contributed to the increase of product quality and safety of the production process, and the automation of certain steps reduced the possibility of human error. “As a leader in the BiH market, Meggle is expected to meet market needs, and improve and develop production processes, as well as to have ongoing launches of new and innovative products. This investment helps us very much in this regard,” adds Jadranka.

The support of the EU4AGRI project through the introduction of new technologies will certainly contribute to the further development and positioning of this company in domestic and foreign markets, and especially in meeting the high-quality standards for products marked with a blue clover.

The value of the investment supported through the EU4AGRI project is around BAM 730,000 (almost €375,000) of which the European Union’s co-financing was around BAM 300,000 (almost €155,000).

Statement by President von der Leyen on the occasion of her official visit to Albania

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

Thank you very much, dear Prime Minister, dear Edi,  
It is very good to be back here in Tirana. So much has happened since my last visit. It is just a year ago, I think, since I came last time to Tirana. In July, you started the accession negotiations with the European Union. And I was very glad to be with you in this historic moment. It was a touching moment, a very special moment. But let me repeat what I said at that time: It is your success. It is the result of many years of hard work done by Albania and the Albanian people. Years of patience, too. I remember that vividly, of course. You maintained a very strong focus on the European path, on the process. And therefore, this is now paying off with the accession negotiations. You have shown time and again your commitment to the values of the European Union. You are fully aligned with the European Union’s response to Russia’s brutal war of aggression. I must say it is exemplary how Albania has been actively defending the rules-based international order in the UN Security Council. I really thank you for this clear commitment. This honours you. It shows time and again that we are a community of shared values.  
Albania is now firmly moving forward on its European Union’s path. The screening process that has started is on track. The latest enlargement report that has just recently been published shows all the progress that Albania is making. You are strengthening the rule of law, with important reforms of your judicial system, for which you actually managed to build a cross-party consensus, and I really thank you for that. Because we know by experience that this is a precondition, but it is not easy, it takes a lot of strength to do that. And it is the right way to go forward. You have adopted new measures to ensure equality and inclusion in your society. Your economy has come back strong after COVID. These are all very tangible and very visible achievements. And these are achievements in a very challenging time. I am talking of course about Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the terrible cruelty and destruction that it is bringing to the Ukrainian people. Russia is breaking international law and disrespecting the UN Charter. And we also see and feel that Russia is using energy as a weapon, and by that it is manipulating the market. And of course, we all feel the knock-on effects of the rising energy prices and the unstable security of supply of energy. Fortunately, as you have said, Albania is completely independent from Russian gas, due to your hydropower system. But of course, the electricity that comes to Albania is influenced by the disturbances that we see in the energy market – the skyrocketing prices. And thus, it is also affecting your country; it is also affecting Albania. In the European Union, we have decided that the only possible response is unity and solidarity. As we are in this together, the response, together with Albania, is unity and solidarity.  
We are in an Energy Union already. We are putting forward now an energy support package for the Western Balkans. We are doing the same in the European Union. It includes, first of all, direct budget support to address the impact of high energy prices that it has on families and businesses as you have said. There will be EUR  80 million of grants. And if I understood it correctly, you have a system in place that is good to support families and small and medium enterprises in this difficult time. The second part is not looking at the immediate support that will be accessible from January on. But the second part looks into the mid and long term – the support for the energy system: Here, we are talking about EUR 500 million in grants to invest in energy infrastructure for the whole region. It is going to be channelled through the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. And it is already at work here. Indeed, I saw the beginning of the railway that is being built. But for me, it is also very important that we invest in renewable energy. Because renewable energy is home-grown; it gives us independence; it creates good jobs here in the region; and it is good for the climate. Investment will go into the floating solar power plant in Vau i Dejës. The modernisation of the Fierza hydroelectric power plant. I was stunned to see that it produces one quarter of the overall electricity production, and also to see for example the energy renovation of the campus of the University of Tirana. These are only few examples. But they show the direction of travel.  
Dear Prime Minister, dear Edi, I think, once again, Albania can be proud of its achievements. Because indeed, from your words, but more from your deeds, you prove that your people have shown not only vision but also resilience. You are on track on your way to the European Union. And therefore, from my part also: Congratulations to the fact that on 6 December, we are going to meet again, here in Tirana, with the European Council and we will have the Western Balkans Summit here in Tirana. It is going to be a very important meeting. I am very much looking forward to that. And many thanks again for the hospitality today.

YEAs participate in European Migration Forum in Brussels

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On 20-21 October, Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) Teodora Cekić and Jehona Pnishi participated in the seventh European Migration Forum held in Brussels.

 

The Forum is co-organised and run by the European Commission – DG HOME (the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs) – and the European Economic and Social Committee, to encourage exchange and dialogue on migration, asylum and integration between civil society and European institutions. Since 2022 is the European Year of Youth, this year’s edition of the European Migration Forum was titled “Youth inclusion: key to successful migrant integration”.

 

Teodora participated in the workshop on the topic of “legal migration: youth mobility,” in the context of education and the labour mobility of young people, and Jehona participated in the workshop on the topic of young migrants’ access to education and training.

 

In the session “The Floor is Yours” where participants suggest further topics to discuss in parallel break-out sessions, the YEAs suggested the inclusion of young European migrants from non-EU countries in the EU, and related political and social issues. In addition, during the forum, Teodora and Jehona had an opportunity to take part, with 15 other young leaders, in a session offering a co-creative space for young participants, with the aim of allowing a youth-led discussion where they were able to focus exclusively on their perspectives on migration.

Regional Housing Programme starts delivery of 120 packages of construction materials to refugee families in Sremska Mitrovica

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The delivery by the Regional Housing Programme (RHP) of 120 packages of construction materials for refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia began today in Šašinci, near Sremska Mitrovica, in Serbia. Attendees at the ceremony to mark the occasion included Nataša Stanisavljević, Commissioner for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia; Elvira Angulo Rodriguez, representing the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia, and Sarah Groen, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission in Serbia.

 

Aleksa Pilipović, a refugee from Bugojno, BiH, received a package of construction materials worth €9,000. The Pilipović family received materials for the complete reconstruction of their home (roof, floors, insulation, facade, interior doors, carpentry and bathroom materials), which they plan to use to adapt their home to accommodate their six-year-old daughter, who has special needs.

 

The delivery of the remaining packages under the RHP SRB9 sub-project also began in Bačka Topola and Ruma.

BIRN Holds Visual Storytelling Workshop for Youngsters Interested in Transitional Justice

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From 20-21 October, 11 youngsters from all over the Balkans met in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo for the “Visual Storytelling Using War Crime Archives” workshop organised by Balkan Insight’s Transitional Justice program. With the help of Denis Dzidic, director of BIRN BiH and Lamija Grebo, journalist for BIRN BiH, and Nejra Mulaomerovic, programme associate for BIRN BTJ, they learned how to use war crimes archives and how to conduct interviews. Azem Kurtic, journalist for BIRN Hub, held a full-day workshop covering visual storytelling and video-making principles.

 

With the help of the trainers, the participants watched and analysed previous work that BIRN published on this topic, like “44 Months Under Siege” and “Lives Behind the Fields of Death”. “These stories are a way to heal together beyond borders and nationalities. It’s nice to see people doing these kinds of projects, and putting in the effort, it’s inspiring. But it makes you wonder why nobody else is doing this,” reflected a participant.

 

All these tools and knowledge will come in handy for the second part of the workshop, which starts when they travel back home. Each of them will produce two short video interviews with people who survived the wars in the former Yugoslavia. The best five applicants will be selected for a one-month exchange programme in 2023 in Sarajevo. This will enable the participants to foster closer networks, learn more about different facets of the war, gain skills and do more research into court archives.

 

Balkan Transitional Justice initiative is supported by the European Union, the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Robert Bosch Stiftung.

ErasmusDays: 6,300 local events celebrated Erasmus+

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On 13, 14 and 15 October 2022, the 6th edition of #ErasmusDays celebrated the EU’s Erasmus+ Programme, with 6,300 events taking place in 67 countries around the world. In the context of the 35th Anniversary of the Erasmus+ programme and the European Year of Youth, the highest number of local events has been organised as part of this year’s ErasmusDays in the initiative’s history.

 

Thanks to the work of the Erasmus+ National Agencies and the National Erasmus+ Offices in Europe and beyond, beneficiaries had the opportunity to share their success stories in-person and online. All events were open to the public and included festivals, conferences, exhibitions, sports events, social media contests, videos and podcasts. The organisers were Erasmus+ beneficiaries of all kinds, from schools and universities, to vocational education institutions and youth organisations.

 

One of the novelties of this edition has been the social media challenge #GuessWherasmus, as part of which former beneficiaries had to record a video dance, with viewers guessing the destination of their Erasmus+ exchange.

RYCO and Superschools Delegation Participate in Berlin Process Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the Western Balkans

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RYCO Secretary General Mr. Albert Hani and Superschools Delegation participated in the Foreign Ministers Meeting held within the Berlin Process. The meeting was hosted this year by the German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, and took place on the premises of the German Federal Foreign Office.The opening remarks delivered by the German Foreign Minister were followed by the plenary with the six foreign ministers from the region, participants from the EU, RYCO, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), and the Civil Society Forum. During the Ministerial Meeting, talks were focused on inter alia, issues related to energy, climate change, reconciliation initiatives, and youth.

 

Minister Annalena Bearbock emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and especially bringing young people from the region together. She has underlined the Berlin process as key platform for cooperation in the WB Region which is showing concrete results. Acknowledging the results of RYCO programs and bringing thousands of young people together, Minister Bearbock has announced the establishment of the new Cultural Fund which should provide even more opportunities and programs or mobility and cooperation of young people, administered by RYCO. As a new Regional Fund this idea has been welcomed very well and readiness for strong support has been given by all actors. The message that the Berlin Process is concrete and on the fast track was announced by the fact that this year Western Balkan Summit is bringing to the Region three very important “mobility” agreements who are result of great work of regional initiatives supported through the Berlin Process.

 

RYCO Superschools program is part of a multi-donor project “Western Balkans School Exchange Scheme” co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with RYCO.

Statement by President von der Leyen on the occasion of her official visit to Kosovo

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Dear President,  
Thank you very much. It is very good to be back in Pristina and to see you again. Indeed, we had a very good meeting with intensive talks and we took stock of the progress that Kosovo achieved in the past year. And there was a lot of progress, you are absolutely right. You have been working hard. I know that your country continues to demonstrate an enormous commitment to the European path. You have shown time and again your commitment to the values of the European Union. And especially most recently again, with your full alignment with the EU sanctions in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. You are undertaking ambitious reforms. I know that this is easily said but difficult to be done, and I really commend you for that. And this hard work that Kosovo has undertaken is reflected in our last enlargement report, which is very positive for Kosovo. Your efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law have been recognised. You have also made a lot of progress and efforts on fighting corruption. So, that is all very good. You are building, step by step, not only the judiciary but also a very solid market economy. This part is also highly recognised by the European Commission and it shows in the report.  
I hear you loud and clear on the topic of visa liberalisation and you know you have an ally in the Commission, and in me personally, on that topic. You are right, I think Kosovo deserves the visa liberalisation. I know how important it is for you. You have fulfilled all the benchmarks. Indeed, it was our assessment already in July 2018. But we have now reaffirmed that you have fulfilled all the necessary criteria and we stand by it. Now, our task is to convince the whole European Council.  Many members of the European Council are on your side. It is very good that these discussions have restarted. We will work very intensively with the Czech Presidency. It needs a lot of diplomatic effort and explanation and work, back and forth. You can count on me personally, you can count on us in the Commission to do everything to help you on your way, knowing that you are doing this impressive work.  
You are doing all this impressive work against a very difficult backdrop. And that is the atrocious war that Russia has unleashed against Ukraine. It is sending shock waves through the entire world. And it is unbelievable how cruel and brutal the destruction that Russia brings onto the Ukrainian people is.  Russia is terrorising the citizens of Ukraine, deliberately bombing and targeting civil infrastructure in the attempt to cut off Ukrainian men, women and children from electricity, water, heating, with the winter approaching. And we see that Russia is using energy very strategically as a weapon, manipulating the markets. And you also feel here in Kosovo, of course, the knock-on effects of this unbelievable behaviour – with the rising energy prices and the difficulties in security of supply. And you have been affected, too, as you said.  
But rest assured, the European Union will never give in to this blackmail. And we are in this together because we are in one Energy Union. So we stand side by side. And our response is unity and it is solidarity. We have to tackle this crisis; we will tackle this crisis. And we are in this together because we are in one Energy Union. So for you, it is important that you have full access to the joint procurement of gas. I know that is important for the region, not so important for Kosovo, but you are invited to join the platform for the joint procurement of gas. You will of course benefit from the discussions and the legal proposals, which we have in the European Union concerning caps on gas prices at the so-called TTF level, but also from the discussions on the influence that gas prices have on electricity prices. In other words: We are doing everything necessary to tame the high energy prices and the high electricity prices. And of course, as we are in one Energy Union, you will benefit from that, too.  
But right now, you need immediate support, immediate financial budget support. So we will grant EUR 75 million for the immediate support to vulnerable households or vulnerable businesses. And we will finalise all the necessary procedures until the end of the year so that you can get the funding for your budget as of January. Then, there is another piece of investment in grants, these are EUR 500 million for the whole region, where we indeed want to support you on your path towards energy independence and security of supply. This is the investment in renewables first and foremost, but also in energy connections throughout Europe, more energy efficiency. But, as I said, the most important for us is the investment in renewable energy. Because renewable energy is not only good for the climate, it is good for the independence of our region. These renewables energies are home-grown and they create good jobs here at home. The support will be channelled under the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. As you mentioned, I know that a lot of important work is already done here in Kosovo on the energy efficiency measures, in the building sector. I commend you for the plans of installation of photovoltaic panels, the upgrade of the district heating with clean energy in eight cities in Kosovo.  
I am very curious to go to the project that I will visit soon, the Faculty of Architecture of Pristina, a very important project that we are funding and which enables to switch from heavy-fuel oil to waste heat energy. So it is really a double approach: Getting rid of the waste but in a sustainable way. And you get out of it the heating for the district heating that you need. So this is improving not only the environment, but also the life of the inhabitants of Pristina.  
Dear President,  
To reconfirm: Kosovo’s place is in the European Union. I am deeply convinced of that. And you are showing it on a daily basis. I will always say that Europe is not complete without Kosovo. That is very clear. And with Russia’s war waging against Ukraine, our relations with our Western Balkan partners are more important than ever and have to be intensified. You said, rightly so, that it is an investment in peace, stability and prosperity of our shared continent. So rest assured that the European Union is more committed than ever to the enlargement process. We will support you as well as possible to join us in the European Union. For that, I know a lot of topics are still to be tackled. But thank you very much again for the very good talks we did have. We went in detail into the different challenges. And I am very confident that by working together, we will move forward and one day you will be a member of the European Union. And I am waiting for that as much as you are.  
Thank you very much.