The 5th EPP Group Conference on the Western Balkans gathered EPP political leaders from the region and the EU to enhance political dialogue on how to speed up the process of reforms which are crucial for EU accession.

"The candidate and potential EU candidate countries from the Western Balkans are working hard to approximate their laws to the EU acquis and to carry out the necessary reforms. Many of these efforts have borne fruit", pointed out Sandra Kalniete MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament responsible for the Eastern Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

Alojz Peterle MEP, Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, added: "The European perspective for the Western Balkans is crucial for peace and stability in Europe."

"I would like to highlight the importance once again of our EU values: rule of law, democracy, respect for minorities and sense of solidarity. We stress the importance of pursuing the fight against corruption and ensuring good governance which is a necessary condition to implement the necessary reforms and to progress on the path of meeting the EU membership criteria", said Kalniete.

"The migration crisis is proving that a comprehensive regional approach is now needed more than ever", concluded Peterle.