Costa: EU is resolutely working on enlargement, in May I will visit the Western Balkans

Enlargement, along with peace, is the biggest geostrategic achievement of the European Union and therefore we are decisively working on enlargement with our neighbors from the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova, European Council President Antonio Costa said today, announcing that it will visit the Western Balkan region in May.

– Enlargement is the best geopolitical investment that the European Union can make. So I visited Ukraine twice in four months. That’s why I visited Moldova in early March, and this year we will also call a bilateral summit. That’s why the first summit I chaired was with the Western Balkans, a region I will visit in May- Costa said in an address at the Center for European Policy (EPC) in Brussels, on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Agreement in 1957, which laid the foundations of today’s European Union.

Costa emphasized that 68 years ago today six European leaders, fueled by the sense of urgency and courage, set the principles of the most unique experiment in statehood history.

– The countries that were at war with each other until twelve years ago, engaged in a peace project, merging resources and power into a common destiny. The fate shared by citizens and nations. A fate that has since secured our geopolitical weight and endurance. Fate rooted in the values ​​adopted by every nation that freely chose to join our community. A community that has become larger, more prosperous, calmer, more integrated. In favor of millions- said Costa.

According to him, according to MIA correspondent from Brussels, those same trust, courage and creativity of fathers founders of the EU are still needed today to respond to modern challenges.

– The collective sense of Europeanism has given us tools to act when new crises arise. Because whenever we faced a crisis, ruin and darkness, we came out stronger and more united-said Costa.

He pointed out that after the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine « there were many votes that doubted our ability to stay united, to stay firm, to respond to unprecedented ways of unprecedented aggression. »

– Russian aggression has given a new sense of urgency for our strategic autonomy not only in energy but also in defense. Since then we are not leading to collective effort to increase our defense costs by more than 30 % and open the road to decisions that shape Europe to the defense- said the President of the European Council.

According to Costa, it is extremely important to prove to skeptics that they are wrong and the EU to make sure it comes stronger than today’s crises, as it has done throughout history.

– Let’s decide more and faster. Let’s pave the way for Europe’s well -being tomorrow. Let’s put the long-term needs of our citizens, our security, our economy and our union- said Costa.

He emphasized that the EU will continue to support Ukrainians to create conditions for just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine and Europe.

– If Russia thinks that Ukraine’s borders are just a map line, why should it respect the borders of any other country? With the support of Ukraine, we support the UN Charter, the international order based on rules in Europe and beyond – he said.

According to him, Europe must acquire all means to defend itself from military aggression and do so in a European way. Because security needs prosperity to advance, as Costa pointed out, with investing in European defense, the EU invests in its industry, technology and quality jobs for its citizens.

– The European Union is a consistent, trusted and predictable partner that strongly supports and promotes the multilateral order based on rules. We remain committed to all of our international engagements, promoting fair trade, reform of global financial institutions, humanitarian aid, protection of the oceans and dealing with climate change, global debt and inequality- added Costa.

He emphasized that the world needs European engagement and Europe should get closer to its partners and find solutions that can adapt to the most pressing global challenges.

– Our Union is still the best way to protect, progress and promote our interests in the world. The best way to accept our differences. To build the necessary consensus. To make our societies more resistant, more dynamic. Without it, we are all weaker, with her holding the future in our hands. The European Union needs to shine again. The European Union needs to inspire more. The European Union needs to deliver to its citizens. With confidence, with courage, with creativity, just like our founders in Rome- Costa concluded in an address to the EPC on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the adoption of the Roman Treaty.