President Pirc Musar: "Enlargement is a strategic investment in Europe's security and resilience"

In addition to the Slovenian President, the meeting was attended by leaders or high-level representatives of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Greece, Croatia, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Turkey and Kosovo.

In her address, the President highlighted the significant progress made by the region over the past three decades – from a period of political and economic uncertainty to the partnership of today, founded on a shared commitment to cooperation. She highlighted as the SEECP's greatest achievement the fact that the countries of the region now work together based on a shared conviction that cooperation is stronger than division and that their future lies in a stable, secure and prosperous Europe.

She also stressed that Slovenia views stronger regional connectivity as an important strategic objective and that the future of the SEECP participating states lies within the European Union. In this context, she stressed that EU enlargement is not merely a political process, but a strategic investment in the security, resilience and prosperity of Europe as a whole. She called for maintaining the momentum of the enlargement process and for further strengthening cooperation among the countries of the region. "We must address the remaining challenges in the spirit of good neighbourly relations, dialogue, mutual understanding, and trust," she emphasised.

The President also pointed out that security challenges, economic uncertainty, climate change and technological transformation require a coordinated and forward-looking response.

"Dialogue, reconciliation and a genuine commitment to cooperation remain essential if we are to address our common challenges successfully and fully realise the potential of our region. At the same time, our citizens expect tangible results: better connectivity, greater energy security, more opportunities for young people and more resilient societies," she said. As an example of tangible benefits for citizens, she welcomed the launch of negotiations on extending the Roam Like at Home initiative to the countries of the Western Balkans.

The President welcomed the adoption of the Summit Declaration, which reaffirms the commitment to cooperation, regional stability, sustainable development and the European future of South-East Europe. At the meeting, Romania took over the Chairmanship of the South-East European Cooperation Process from Bulgaria, and the President wished Romania every success in leading the Process in the period ahead.

On the margins of the summit, the President of the Republic also met with the host of the event, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Iliana Iotova. The two leaders exchanged views on political and economic cooperation between the two countries and on the future of the European Union enlargement process. There are numerous opportunities for deepening economic cooperation, particularly in the fields of nuclear technologies, the space and automotive industries, the defence sector, energy, information and communication technologies, tourism, digitalisation and other areas. During the discussion, President Pirc Musar underlined that Slovenia continues to consistently and resolutely support the European path of all Western Balkan countries, and stressed the need to strengthen trust and create the conditions for the further development of good neighbourly relations, which constitute one of the key elements of the accession process, and to strengthen regional cooperation.

The President of the Republic also held separate bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Alexandru Munteanu, and the Acting President of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu.