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From the membership of the Western Balkans in the EU to Russia: the 32 conclusions of the Tirana Summit

2022-12-06 17:10:28Fokus SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
From the membership of the Western Balkans in the EU to Russia: the 32
Tirana Summit

The leaders of the European Union, present at the Tirana Summit, in consultation with the leaders of the Western Balkans and in the presence of regional and international stakeholders, have announced the conclusions of the summit.

In the Declaration of Tirana, it is announced that the leaders of the European Union and those of the Western Balkans have agreed that the escalation of Russia's war in Ukraine is endangering peace and security in the bloc and in the whole world.

Also, the importance of the strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans region is underlined.

Bashkimi Evropian, në deklaratën e përbashkët përmbyllëse të samitit, ka ripohuar angazhimin ndaj “perspektivës së anëtarësimit të Ballkanit Perëndimor në Bashkimin Evropian.”

Gjithashtu bëhet thirrje për përshpejtimin e procesit të anëtarësimit. BE ka përshëndetur progresin e bërë nga shtetet e rajonit deri më tani si dhe mbajtjen e Konferencave të para Ndërqeveritare me Shqipërinë dhe Maqedoninë e Veriut.

Samiti BE-Ballkani Perëndimor Deklarata e Tiranës, 6 dhjetor 2022

Ne, udhëheqësit e Bashkimit Evropian (BE) dhe të Shteteve të tij Anëtare, në konsultim me udhëheqësit e Ballkanit Perëndimor dhe në prani të palëve të interesuara rajonale dhe ndërkombëtare, sot mbajtëm këtë Samit për herë të parë në rajonin e Ballkanit Perëndimor dhe dolëm në përfundimet e mëposhtme:

1- Përshkallëzimi i luftës së agresionit të Rusisë kundër Ukrainës po vë në rrezik paqen dhe sigurinë evropiane dhe globale dhe nënvizon rëndësinë e partneritetit strategjik midis BE-së dhe rajonit të Ballkanit Perëndimor.

2- BE-ja ripohon angazhimin e saj të plotë dhe të qartë ndaj perspektivës së anëtarësimit të Ballkanit Perëndimor në Bashkimin Evropian dhe bën thirrje për përshpejtimin e procesit të anëtarësimit, duke u bazuar te reformat e besueshme të Partnerëve, te kushtëzimet e drejta dhe të rrepta dhe te parimi i meritës së secilit, gjë që është në interesin tonë të përbashkët. BE-ja përshëndet progresin e bërë nga partnerët e Ballkanit Perëndimor në rrugëtimin përkatës drejt BE-së që nga Samiti BE-Ballkani Perëndimor në Brdo, në tetor 2021. Në veçanti, BE-ja përshëndet mbajtjen e Konferencave të para Ndërqeveritare me Shqipërinë dhe Maqedoninë e Veriut.

3- The EU welcomes the determination of the partners of the Western Balkans to support the essential European values ​​and principles, in accordance with international law. The EU also welcomes the repeated commitment of the Western Balkans partners to prioritize democracy, fundamental rights and values ​​and the rule of law, including the separation of powers. The European Union underlines the need for sustained efforts in the fight against corruption and organized crime, for increasing support for good governance, for human rights, gender equality and the rights of persons belonging to minorities. The credibility of these commitments depends on the meaningful implementation of the necessary reforms and on building a sustainable track record based on clear and consistent public communication in the interest of their people. An empowered civil society and independent and pluralistic media, in full respect of freedom of expression, are crucial components of any democratic system and we welcome and support the role they play in the Western Balkans.

4- Staying together with the EU is a clear sign of the strategic orientation of the partners, now more than ever, as Russia escalates its war of aggression against Ukraine. A shared vision for the future includes mutual responsibility and shared values. As we deepen our cooperation with Partners, we urge them to make rapid and sustained progress towards full alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and to act in accordance with it, including with EU restrictive measures. We congratulate those Western Balkan Partners who are already showing their strategic commitment in this regard by fully aligning with the EU's SAPS and encourage those who have not yet done so to follow suit.

5- The EU remains the closest partner, the main investor as well as the trading partner and primary donor of the region. The extraordinary scale and range of this support should be made more visible and dynamically reflected by the Partners in their public debate and communication, so that citizens can appreciate the concrete benefits of the partnership with the EU.

6- Relying on the revised methodology, the European Council has invited the Commission, the High Representative and the Council to advance the gradual integration of the region already during the enlargement process itself in a reversible and merit-based way.

7- The EU recalls the importance of continuing the reforms, both for the benefit of the citizens and as a basis for the continued support of the EU, especially in the field of the rule of law, and in particular those reforms related to independence and functioning of the judiciary and the fight against corruption and organized crime.

8- The EU continues to fully support the commitment of the partners of the Western Balkans for inclusive regional cooperation and the strengthening of good neighborly relations with the EU Member States. The implementation in good faith and with tangible results of bilateral agreements, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Treaty on Good Neighborly Relations with Bulgaria, continues to be important. Further decisive efforts are still required to promote regional reconciliation and stability and to find and implement final, inclusive and binding solutions to bilateral and regional disputes between partners and to issues rooted in the legacy of the past, in accordance with international law and established principles, including the Agreement on Inheritance Matters and the remaining cases of missing persons and war crimes matters. The EU also calls on partners to guarantee the rights and equal treatment of persons belonging to minorities.

9- We continue to fully support the efforts of the EU High Representative and the EU Special Representative for the Dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade and for other regional issues of the Western Balkans and we expect concrete progress from both Parties towards an agreement complete and legally binding for the normalization of relations between them. This is critical for the stability and development of the entire region and to ensure that the Parties can continue their respective European journeys. We reiterate our strong expectation that all previous agreements will be fully respected and implemented without delay. We urge both Parties to engage constructively to resolve all bilateral disputes and not take unilateral and/or provocative actions that may cause tensions and violence and rhetoric that does not lead to Dialogue. We remind both Parties of their shared responsibility to ensure peace and stability.

10- We welcome the first successful meeting of the European Political Community, which was held on October 6, 2022 in Prague. The meeting provided a platform for political coordination and an opportunity for in-depth exchanges on pressing issues affecting the entire continent. We look forward to the next meeting to be held in the Republic of Moldova in the first half of 2023. Jointly addressing the negative impact of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and building a strong economic foundation for the future

11- Russia is solely responsible for the current energy and economic crisis. The EU will continue its support to Western Balkan partners in dealing with the negative consequences in their economies and societies.

12- The new EU Energy Support Package, with a value of 1 billion euros in grants which could bring 2.5 billion euros in investments, will help the Western Balkans mitigate the impact of the energy crisis and accelerate energy transition in the region. The package is financed through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) and contains immediate, short- and medium-term measures to provide assistance to citizens and businesses in the Western Balkans. 500 million euros in the form of grants will go to the immediate support of vulnerable families and small and medium enterprises (SME). Another 500 million euros in grants will be devoted to investments in support of the energy transition and energy independence,

13- We recall our decision to open the joint purchases of gas, LNG and hydrogen for the Western Balkans, we call for the rapid implementation of this platform and encourage partners to use this opportunity. The EU's REPoër plan will help to reduce the dependence of the EU and the Western Balkans on Russian gas. Through the Energy Community, the EU is opening its electricity market for the Western Balkans, including in the renewable energy sector, subject to regulatory reforms.

14- The continued implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) and the Green and Digital Agendas for the Western Balkans will help strengthen the region's economy and sustainability, including further support for connectivity, energy transition and diversification. of energy supplies. The EIP envisages an ambitious investment package, mobilizing approximately EUR 30 billion for the region, consisting of EUR 9 billion in grant funding from IPA III and up to EUR 20 billion in investments, mobilized by the new Western Balkans Guarantee Facility . In the framework of the Plan, in the first half of 2022, the implementation of a total of 1, 4 billion euros in investment grants under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (KIBP) to finance 28 primary investment projects with a total value of 4.5 billion euros. A new package of 400 million euros in grants from the EU with an investment value of 1.2 billion euros has just been approved to finance 12 investment projects, while the approved projects are entering the implementation phase. During the past year, work continued on all the connectivity investment projects approved under the connectivity agenda, with several projects nearing completion, in particular the Orient-East-Mediterranean rail corridor, the Vc road corridor and the two cross-border bridges, Svilaj and Gradiška. In this context,

15- In addition, the EU is ready to support the leaders of the Western Balkans in fulfilling their commitment to fully implement the Green Agenda for the region, which includes their commitments in the field of climate in the framework of the Paris Agreement, as a key driver for the transition to modern, climate-neutral and climate-resilient and resource-efficient economies, which aims to unlock the potential of the circular economy, fight pollution, improve waste management and accelerate the transition to green energy in region. The EU will also continue to support the region in the development of carbon pricing policy in the context of the EU's Carbon Cap Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), including technical and financial assistance.

16- Since the beginning, the Western Balkan partners have also been involved in the European Food Security Crisis Preparedness and Response Mechanism to improve food security. The EU will continue its support for the agricultural sector, namely in the framework of IPA III and the Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development (IPARD III). For the latter, at the beginning of this year, the EU's contribution of 560 million euros for the next seven-year period was approved. Intensification of political engagement and policies

17- The EU and the Western Balkans are determined to accelerate and deepen our political and policy engagement, including inter alia the holding of regular EU-Western Balkan Summits, the participation of Western Balkan Partners in activities and level meetings high level of the EU and the regular dialogues in the framework of the PPJS. Western Balkan partners have already been invited to give their views at Foreign Affairs Council meetings and then receive a briefing from the European External Action Service. This increased commitment reflects the EU's commitment to the region.

18- The EU will further deepen cross-sectoral cooperation with the Western Balkans in areas of common interest such as justice and internal affairs, the economy and the EU internal market, energy, transport and digital policy, civil protection, health, social policy, education and research and innovation as well as foreign policy, security and defence, including addressing cyber and other hybrid threats and counter-terrorism.

19- The EU and the Western Balkans recall the joint commitment to increasing efforts to increase the integration of the Western Balkans with the EU internal market. The Common Regional Market (CRM) of the Western Balkans should serve as a fulcrum for this integration. The EU welcomes the partners' recent agreements on free movement and recognition of identity cards for all citizens of the region, as well as mutual recognition of university degrees and professional qualifications within the region. These agreements are important steps in fulfilling the commitment of the partners to create a Common Regional Market. The EU encourages the Western Balkan partners to rapidly ratify these agreements so that citizens can benefit from them as soon as possible. Further decisive efforts are needed by all Western Balkan leaders to make the Common Regional Market a reality, especially regarding the adoption of a number of decisions on trade-related initiatives that have already been agreed at a technical level in the context of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). This inclusive regional cooperation based on EU rules and standards would also stimulate inter-regional trade and attract investment. which have already been agreed at a technical level in the context of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). This inclusive regional cooperation based on EU rules and standards would also stimulate inter-regional trade and attract investment. which have already been agreed at a technical level in the context of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). This inclusive regional cooperation based on EU rules and standards would also stimulate inter-regional trade and attract investment.

20- The EU welcomes the work of all Western Balkan economies towards the modernization of their payment systems to bring them closer to EU standards and to meet the conditions for integration into the Single Euro Payments Area .

21- The EU also welcomes the commitment of the Partners to continue their work on the implementation of the Western Balkans agenda for innovation, research, education, culture, youth and sports and is already gradually integrating the Partners with EU programs such as Erasmus+ , the European Solidarity Corps and the European Universities Initiative with the aim of creating further opportunities for young people. The European Universities Initiative opens the possibility for higher education institutions in the Western Balkans to participate in ambitious international alliances and develop long-term structural and strategic cooperation. The Youth Guarantee implemented in the Western Balkans will contribute to reducing the brain drain the region is experiencing.

22- In the digital field, relying on the successful implementation of the Regional Roadmap Agreement "Roam like at Home" since July 2021, for the elimination of roaming costs within the region, we welcome today's joint statement of the operators of EU-Western Balkans telecommunications agreement which will enable the first reduction of roaming costs between the EU and the Western Balkans in 2023, with the aim of phasing them out completely afterwards. It is also to be congratulated that the Partners have signed the Declaration on the Future of the Internet and are fully associated with the work of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications.

23- We also welcome the progress in the implementation of the EU-Western Balkans Green Lanes and call for their implementation at all relevant borders, while respecting the EU acquis and procedures. In addition, we welcome the establishment of the "Blue Lanes" initiative that will improve trade links between Adriatic ports. These initiatives contribute to better management of borders, reduction of waiting times for passengers and goods and therefore support economic activity. They are a very public demonstration of what cooperation between the Western Balkans and the EU and its Member States can bring. Strengthening security and building resistance to foreign interference

24- The EU and the Western Balkans share a number of security challenges that require coordinated actions, which have become even more important in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU and the Western Balkans are determined to further strengthen cooperation on essential security and defense issues, including at the operational level. In this regard, we welcome the fact that the Partners have demonstrated their commitment to the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP), contributing to EU crisis management missions and operations. The EU will continue to work together with the region to further develop its defense capabilities and capacities, also through the European Peace Instrument. The EU welcomes the continuous commitment of partners for the development of effective instruments for cooperation within the Western Balkans in the field of security and defense. The EU will further increase its engagement in areas such as space and military mobility.

25- The EU and the Western Balkans are committed to fighting the manipulation and interference of foreign information, including disinformation as well as other hybrid threats that are present in the societies of the Western Balkans and aim to undermine the stability of the region, democratic processes and its European perspective. In this view, we will further strengthen our cooperation to build resilience, also increasing the professionalism and education of the media and increasing the impact of our strategic communication about EU-Western Balkans relations and the enlargement process in particular.

26- As cyber threats know no borders, we will work together to increase our collective cyber security. Recent large-scale cyber-attacks show the need for enhanced engagement, building on existing programs and cooperation with the EU Agency for Cyber ​​Security (ENISA) and the European Cyber ​​Competence Centre, combined with bilateral initiatives of EU Member States and other partners. In the framework of the Cyber ​​Security Rapid Response project, EU action is focusing on increasing the cyber resilience and cyber incident preparedness of partners that have been the target of recent attacks, providing longer-term cyber support to of the EU throughout the region starting in 2023. The EU is ready to increase its support for resistance to cyber attacks in the Western Balkans and to intensify cooperation at the regional level and with international partners. Irregular migration, the fight against terrorism and organized crime

27- Migration routes in the Western Balkans have seen significant growth since the beginning of 2022. Migration management remains a common challenge and responsibility, which the EU and the Western Balkans will tackle together, in close partnership. For this purpose, the EU has significantly increased its financial support for the region with more than 170 million euros of bilateral and regional assistance already provided in the framework of IPA III.

28- While we commend our partners for their efforts and constructive cooperation to date, sustained and enhanced efforts are required to address irregular migration on the Western Balkan route, including the fight against human smuggling and trafficking. The EU remains committed to supporting the region, both politically and financially. In this regard, it aims to significantly increase the funds for the Western Balkans for the coming years in the framework of IPA III. In light of increased migratory pressure in the region, strong EU financial support through special programs will enable partners to strengthen asylum and reception systems, increase border protection, fight smuggling networks and organized crime groups and increase returns from the Western Balkans to their countries of origin. In this perspective, the EU has approved a new program for strengthening border management worth 40 million euros and is preparing a second program for increasing capacities for the fight against migrant smuggling and human trafficking, giving attention to investigations and criminal prosecution, worth 30 million euros.

29- The rapid alignment of the partners with the EU visa policy is of urgent and critical importance for the well-functioning and overall sustainability of the visa-free regimes between the Western Balkans and the EU. Partners should continue to enhance their return systems, including by signing readmission agreements with key countries of origin, and strengthen cooperation with relevant airlines. Mutual cooperation on returns will be deepened, maximizing the use of existing frameworks and available channels. In this regard, the EU stands ready to support the Western Balkans to increase voluntary and involuntary returns, including those directly from the region to the countries of origin. Cooperation with Frontex must also be intensified,

30- We call for further strengthening of cooperation on counter-terrorism and against violent extremism, including the prevention of radicalization and financing of terrorism, in accordance with the Joint Action Plan for Counter-Terrorism for the Western Balkans. We reiterate the importance of taking decisive action to tackle serious and organized crime, in particular money laundering, high-level corruption, drug cultivation and trafficking.

31- The EU is fully committed to continue the work to prevent the illegal trade and trafficking of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition, commends the Western Balkans special guide in this regard and will further support Western Balkans in this field. The roadmap is internationally recognized as an example of good practice in the field of regional cooperation to enhance small arms control.

32- The EU encourages the Western Balkans to establish and maintain cooperative relations with the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in the field of mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. We welcome the working relationships already established between the EPPO and some Western Balkan partners and encourage other partners for similar cooperation as soon as possible.

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33. We welcome the integration of the Western Balkan partners with the above points.


Në përputhje me standarded JTI

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