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Sat, May 26 2012
EU foreign policy chief Ashton to visit Western Balkans
Catherine Ashton.
Photo: Nato
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will visit a number of capitals in the Western Balkans before the end of February 2010.
Ashton is expected to visit Serbia, Kosovo and Bosnia and may also visit Macedonia and Montenegro, while media reports in Ljubljana said that she would also visit Slovenia.
Speaking on February 6 in Munich at the German city’s annual security conference, Ashton said that she would like all Western Balkan countries to be successful in their bids for EU integration.
"We know that we in the EU have primary responsibility for our neighbourhood," Ashton told the conference.
"This is important in itself but our wider international credibility also depends on the work we do with our neighbours." she said.
Ashton said that this meant promoting genuine political reform in the Western Balkans and making sure the whole region succeeds on its path of eventual integration into the EU.
"Progress on this path depends on the pace of reforms at home. And the reality is that some countries are advancing faster than others," she said.
A number of difficult issues face Ashton regarding stances within the EU on countries in the Western Balkans, including the bloc’s division over Kosovo, which is recognised as independent by 22 out of 27 EU states, while five side with Serbia as rejecting the February 17 2008 declaration of independence in Pristina as illegitimate.
Ashton is expected to visit Serbia, Kosovo and Bosnia and may also visit Macedonia and Montenegro, while media reports in Ljubljana said that she would also visit Slovenia.
Speaking on February 6 in Munich at the German city’s annual security conference, Ashton said that she would like all Western Balkan countries to be successful in their bids for EU integration.
"We know that we in the EU have primary responsibility for our neighbourhood," Ashton told the conference.
"This is important in itself but our wider international credibility also depends on the work we do with our neighbours." she said.
Ashton said that this meant promoting genuine political reform in the Western Balkans and making sure the whole region succeeds on its path of eventual integration into the EU.
"Progress on this path depends on the pace of reforms at home. And the reality is that some countries are advancing faster than others," she said.
A number of difficult issues face Ashton regarding stances within the EU on countries in the Western Balkans, including the bloc’s division over Kosovo, which is recognised as independent by 22 out of 27 EU states, while five side with Serbia as rejecting the February 17 2008 declaration of independence in Pristina as illegitimate.
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Is there a reason she won't go to Zagreb?
Sorry - I omitted to attach my own photograph and register myself on this site as a blogger. I am known to be a handsome piece of work and highly photogenic, not least to Interpol (which is why I didn't register).
by the way David, in your old age you are less photogenic than Ashton ;)
don't kid yourself david, we all know you play both sides...and now we know you also are Valeri...thanks for that :)
"Still think anyone really cares about what you have to say?"
Obviously. Some would even post about it;)
Hi David(Epaminondas), how are you? Still think anyone really cares about what you have to say?
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained foul, abusive or discriminating language
I agree with Robert-in-France !
im not sure ms ashton will be fully aware of where she actually IS in the balkans just a matter of time until she gets confused
Agreed - photogenic she is not ! (More to the point, she speaks very poor French, and no other foreign language). Still, since Van Rompuy speaks English with a thick Flemish accent that sounds like a Brussels postman trying to be helpful, maybe they're well matched....
I think she's just trying to scare them to death into behaving there, by showing her face around;)
.. Poor thing she doeas have a face made for radio...