Enlargement strategy and regional cooperation are the focus of the 3rd EPP Group Conference on the Western Balkans which will take place in Brussels on 29 January 2013.

The EPP Group has proved that it is a strong supporter of the European integration process in the Balkans. The successful conclusion of Croatian EU accession sends a strong signal to the other countries of the region: that the EU is open to everyone who complies with its rules.

The other countries in the region still face a variety of difficulties, such as the need for judicial reform, improved minority rights, and fighting corruption and organised crime. In many cases, the animosities related to recent wars are still an obstacle to the regional cooperation needed.

Amongst the high-ranking keynote speakers are Sali Berisha, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Suzana Grubješić, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of the Republic of Serbia, Antonio Milošoski, Chair of the Foreign Committee of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's Parliament and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy. Leading the debate on behalf of the EPP Group are: Elmar Brok MEP, Chairman of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs; Doris Pack MEP, Chairwoman of the EP Committee on Culture; Eduard Kukan MEP, Chairman of the EP Delegation for Relations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo and Member of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs; and Marietta Giannakou, György Schöpflin, Anna Ibrisagic and Salvatore Tatarella MEPs.

Programme

For further information:

Marek Hannibal, EPP Group Press and Communications Service, Tel: +32-475-753048

Theodoros Georgitsopoulos, EPP Group Press and Communications Service, Tel: +32-475-750566

Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 270 Members and 3 Croatian Observer Members