5 December 2024, Brussels - Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Cristina Gherasimov, attended the European Union - Western Balkans Summit, organised today in Brussels by the Friends of Europe. At the event were also present the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, the Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, the Director-General of DG NEAR Gert Jan Koopman, the President of the National Assembly of Serbia Ana Brnabić and other high-ranking officials.

'The experience of the Western Balkan countries in the process of the European integration is a good example for us,' said Cristina Gherasimov. 

At the opening of the Summit, the new Commissioner, Marta Kos, shared her vision on the European Union's enlargement. The Commissioner mentioned that during her mandate, she will do her utmost to make Europe more united and stronger by preparing the candidate countries for membership.

In her speech, Cristina Gherasimov, highlighted two important ideas, mentioning that: 'transformations in society and maintaining a firm European course are the best response to the threats generated by the hybrid war; and EU enlargement is the key to stability and peace on the European continent'.