EU’s Special Envoy on the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, said that he doesn’t see a better alternative for the Western Balkans, others than integration into the EU.

While speaking on the four main challenges facing the region, Lajak admitted that the relations between Kosovo and Serbia have a great influence on regional cooperation.

“The most important strategic challenge is the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Prishtina, because it’s not just about these two countries. Serbs and Albanians live in every single country in the Balkans, and the relationship between Serbia and Kosovo impacts regional cooperation as a whole. That is why, the solution to this holds great strategic importance,” – said Lajcak.

In addition, EU’s Special Envoy said that the most urgent challenge, which needs to be addressed according to him, is the opening of negotiations for the integration of Albania and North Macedonia into the EU, whereas the crisis in Bosnia Hercegovina, he said, is the most serious challenge.

In an interview for Bosnian media, he declared that that:

“The most fundamental challenge in my opinion is the answer to the question: how will the Balkans be? Will it be a Balkans with European values, that promotes democracy and the rule of law, that fights corruption and has an independent press and civil society?” – said Lajcak.

He also spoke about Montenegro, arguing that over the past year, there hasn’t been any substantial progress, even though it is the country that is the closest to EU integration.