Excellency,
I would like to warmly greet you all. I would like to thank the Aspen Institute for the invitation and the opportunity to talk about important and always current topic for us: Security and prosperity in the Western Balkans.

The Western Balkans has been seen in history as the weakest point in the security structure of Europe, a place where religious and ethnic tensions were a source of instability, which was reflected on the whole European continent.  The conflicts at the end of last and the beginning of this century luckily didn’t endanger the security of Europe. Although the security of Balkans is still fragile after these events, and the democratic institutions are still being built, the progress of the region cannot be denied and is evident in many areas.  The region is still in the process of transition, but we are all going, at our own pace, towards building democratic societies and modern states with the rule of law.

Europe has learned its lesson in history a long time ago, after the Second World War. It is time for us in the Balkans to learn that lesson as well. The Euro-Atlantic structure has strengthened peace and security in divided Europe more than six decades ago. The practice of resolving outstanding issues and problems by armed conflicts was rejected. The Euro-Atlantic integration has put aside inherited hatred, brought down ethnic and mental barriers by spreading democracy and unity and by building a common security framework. If this concept proved to be successful and acceptable for all nations in Europe, I’m sure it will be a successful model for the Western Balkans as well.

A set of common values, norms and principles lies in the heart of the EU and Euro-Atlantic integrations. Spreading the Euro-Atlantic values to the Western Balkans is the most efficient way to avoid instability. It is a preventive measure for potential new conflicts. The EU and NATO integration processes go hand in hand and are synchronized, with complementary values. NATO and the EU are the guarantee of stability of our region. All phases of integration so far proved this, having been conducted in different circumstances, from crisis management, post-conflict rehabilitation to overall democratic reforms and implementation of international standards. These are today foundations of the security and stability of the Western Balkans, the best and widest framework for regional cooperation.

For the first time in history countries form the Western Balkans have common strategic foreign-policy goals. Naturally, we are different in political, economic and cultural sense. However, those are today also our greatest advantages. In security sphere, shared strategic goals prompted the countries to work together and assist each other. All of us today in the region understand more and more that we share the same destiny and face the same challenges which we need to address jointly. This induces overall regional cooperation. There are more and more economic, cultural and security regional initiatives. In security area, the Adriatic charter has proved to be an indispensable framework. We have been used to having external factors resolve security threats in the Balkans. Today, we understand that the responsibility for the future of our countries, and of the region as a whole, primarily lies in our hands. This is the only way we can become a reliable partner to the EU and NATO. From being the source of instability, the countries of the Balkans are transforming into proactive subjects capable of providing not only the security of the region, but also able to contribute to European and global security and stability.

Beyond doubt, Euro-Atlantic integration is a win-win game for all of us in the Western Balkans. There could be no long-lasting stability in the Balkans without inclusion of all the countries from the region into the Euro-Atlantic structures. The best and fastest way to achieve this goal is to make this process a genuine “two way street”. This hope should be made realistic by constant and concrete actions. Due to assistance and support and, above all, due to the open door policy of NATO and the EU, all the countries of the region have made significant progress.

In conclusion, the full integration is the best option for the region, but equally important, for the rest of Europe. Europe cannot be united and stable without full integration of the Balkans in the EU and NATO.

Thank you.