Meloni: “Europe has a responsibility towards the Western Balkans” – Europe

At the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Iran, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni raised the issue of migrants. “I think we have a great responsibility with the countries of the western Balkans, especially after the Russian aggression against Ukraine. We need to strengthen the process of countries’ continued accession to the European Union. There are many topics on which we must work together, from the economy to cybersecurity, to which Italy is fully committed. We will try to do our best, including regarding roaming and other matters under discussion. “You can count on Italy,” said the Italian prime minister, who also expressed his opinion. gFavorable judgment on ‘extension of tax relief in the South until December 31, 2023.” ““We welcome the European Commission’s decision to approve it – he said – I thank Ministers Vito and Calderoni for the work they have done. It is a commitment we made during the election campaign and we have kept it – and it confirms – that the government will continue to work in coordination with European institutions to make this measure structural “.

Giorgia Meloni, had a conversation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán before taking their seats on the stage with the other leaders. Walking down the red carpet, Meloni and Orban spoke for a few minutes, while behind them, a few steps away, French President Emmanuel Macron advanced along with two other leaders, including Slovak Prime Minister Edouard Heger. Meloni then took his place in the picture line-up, in the third row between Viusa Osmani Sadrio, President of Kosovo, and Robert Golub, Prime Minister of Slovenia.

Before the shot, Meloni exchanged hands with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who was standing across from her. After the family photo, the leaders watched the music and dance show, with a performance of traditional and hip-hop dances performed by a group of young dancers dressed in blue suits such as the flag of Europe and the twelve stars. Upon his return to the summit venue, Meloni walked the red carpet with the President of Kosovo, Fiusa Osmani Sadrio, and also spoke with the Prime Minister of Malta, Robert Abela.

Firm intervention by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He said the countries of the western Balkans should “decide which side they will be on: besides democracy, this is the European Union, a friend and partner. Or if they want to take a different path,” he said. Von der LeyenArriving at the EU-Western Balkans Summit, he called on the six countries in the region to take a stand against authoritarian states like Russia and China. Von der Leyen explained that “Russia and China are trying to exert influence in the region, but the European Union is the largest investor and the closest partner of the Western Balkan countries.”

As for immigrants – he added – “we have a strong common interest in cooperating closely in all aspects: it is a matter of managing migration together”. “You can count on our support to deal with border management, the asylum and migration process,” emphasized von der Leyen, speaking of migration as a “long-term challenge.”