Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Vincenzo Amendola, participated in the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Energy of the Western Balkans. The visit of the Italian dignitary was scheduled in view of the upcoming Summit of the Western Balkans Process, known as the Berlin Process, to take place in Trieste on 12 July, during which Italy will hold the presidency.
Mr Amendola participated in two working sessions, together with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Energy of the Western Balkan Countries, and the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn. At the end of the working sessions, the European Union signed two agreements on energy and infrastructure before the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Energy of the Western Balkan Countries. Mr Amendola participated, with Commissioner Hahn, in the press conference of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikola Poposki, and the Minister of Economy, Vladimir Peshevski.
“Our country is truly confident in the Western Balkans Summit. As Minister Alfano said, “the Trieste Summit will be an invaluable opportunity to give a new impetus to the Western Balkans enlargement process, essential to ensure prosperity and stability in the region, with an immediate impact on the stability and security of the continent,” underlined Mr Amendola.
“I am returning to Italy with confidence in the firm committment of the Western Balkan Countries to advance their integration process. This is a good start towards the summit, which will take place in Italy on 12 July. In Trieste, we will aim to achieve tangible results in terms of connectivity, economic development, small and medium-sized enterprises, participation of youth in civil society issues, and anti-corruption cooperation,” said Mr Amendola during his meeting with the press.
“We will continue working in close cooperation with the European Commission, pursuing the dialogue with the Western Balkan Countries, in view of the Summit, to promote a more intense integration which appears to be more necessary today than ever,” added the Undersecretary.
During the morning, Undersecretary Amendola had two bilateral meetings: one with the Vice Prime Minister for European Affairs Arbr Ademi and the other one with the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Poposki.
