Poland’s chief diplomat devoted his address to regional cooperation, the Common Regional Market, and Polish support for Western Balkan countries on their path to EU membership.

“Poland supports the EU enlargement process and intends to keep the high pace of the Western Balkans’ European integration during our presidency of the EU Council. We also attach great importance to the convergence of the policies of the region’s countries with the Common Foreign and Security Policy. This is an element that will impact the dynamics of this process,” the head of the Polish MFA emphasised in his speech.

On behalf of Poland’s Prime Minister, Minister Sikorski declared our willingness to continue technical support for the Western Balkan countries’ accession process. Since 2015, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has operated the Enlargement Academy, a project to train officials from aspirant countries and share good practices from the pre- and post-accession period.

In his address, Minister Sikorski also emphasised the significance of Berlin Process results, including above all the establishment of a single regional market, a foundation for cooperation between the region’s countries. Thanks to their commitment, further trade barriers are being removed, which makes for the region’s steadily growing trade and mounting investor interest.

Minister Sikorski also called for further efforts by all partners to develop this initiative and, above all, for the existing agreements to be fully implemented.

The head of Polish diplomacy also pointed out that economic development is only possible under favourable conditions, which can be achieved with political stability and external security. Together with its partners, the EU should ensure that peace and cooperation prevail over divisions in the Western Balkans. According to the minister, all tensions can be overcome, laying a foundation for reconciliation and good neighbourly relations, as was the case with Poland’s history.