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A conference 'Together for the European Union: the Contribution of the Western Balkans to European Future' took place on 20th of March at Brdo pri Kranju in Slovenia. The conference was hosted by Prime Minister of Slovenia (Borut Pahor) and Croatia (Jadranka Kosor).

Five Prime Ministers Western Balkan countries attended the conference that was a platform for launching an informal form of cooperation entitled the "Brdo Process".

Because of Kosovo's presence as an independent country, Serbia, a key player in the region, didn't attend the conference. Serbia wanted Kosovo to attend the EU meeting as a UN protectorate rather than a nation - but their appeal was rejected and Serbian President Boris Tadic pulled out.

Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor called for unity after the meeting. "Everyone must recognise everyone else. We all need each other," he said.

European Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said that he hoped that the entire region would become part of the EU one day. "This conference is a right step in that direction," said the European commissioner.

 

Attending the conference:

• Macedonia
• Bosnia
• Montenegro
• Kosovo
• Albania

 

Pulled out:

• Serbia

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