In his speech, the chief of Polish diplomacy underlined that Poland consistently supports our Western Balkan partners’ European aspirations, the implementation of which is the best tool to ensure long lasting stability and development of both Balkans and the entire continent.

The ministerial meeting agenda included the challenges of building trust and strengthening of regional cooperation by, among others, enhancing people-to-people contacts and mobility within and to the Western Balkans as well as across the region, with special focus on the young and the civil society. Minister Zbigniew Rau was satisfied to see the joint presidency of Bulgaria and North Macedonia decide to continue the priorities of the Polish 2019 presidency. “We know from our historical experience that successful cooperation in this area is vital for other key economic and infrastructural projects,” noted the minister. He found the activities to date of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) to be particularly valuable. Poland cooperates and provides RYCO with financial support. The top Polish diplomat confirmed the continuation of projects to the benefit of the Western Balkans related to the transfer of Polish transformation experiences, accession negotiations and historical reconciliation with our neighbours, as well as scholarship programmes for the Western Balkan youths at Polish universities inaugurated during the Polish presidency of the Berlin Process in 2019.

Learn more about Poland’s contribution to the Berlin Process at: https://www.gov.pl/web/dyplomacja/polska-w-procesie-berlinskim

 

MFA Press Office

Photo: Tymon Markowski/MFA