EU-U.S. summit ends with final declaration

Source: Tanjug

BRDO PRI KRANJU -- The EU-U.S. Summit in Brdo Pri Kranju in Slovenia came to an end last night with a final declaration.

According to the declaration, the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) and the EU Interim Agreement between Serbia and the EU is confirmation of Serbia's commitment to a European perspective and an important step on the country's path towards the EU.

The EU and U.S. welcome the progress of Serbia, Croatia, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro in the process of EU and NATO integration, the declaration says.

"In this decisive year for the Western Balkans, we underline the importance of the European and trans-Atlantic perspective as an essential element in promoting stability and economic progress for the whole region. We welcome the commitment of the EU to extend membership to all the countries of the Western Balkans, as soon as the necessary conditions are met," the declaration reads.

The EU and U.S. also welcome NATO's recent decision to offer its membership to the Western Balkan countries and stressed that they would "continue to support the stability and security of Kosovo and its regional integration, and will assist Kosovo in its economic and institutional development."

The declaration also says that "the Kosovo authorities are committed to the objective of a stable, democratic and multi-ethnic society."

"We commend NATO's contribution to Kosovo as well as that of the OSCE. We will cooperate on completing a smooth transition from UNMIK to EULEX of powers in the field of the rule of law and its full deployment throughout all of Kosovo, which is essential for the stability of Kosovo," the declaration concludes.