Slovenian President Borut Pahor has rejected the idea of redrawing the borders of the Balkans describing it as “dangerous” during his opening remarks at the “Bled Strategic Forum”.
In addition, he urged the European Union to accelerate the enlargement process as it would enhance territorial integrity.
“I believe that a change of borders cannot be done in a peaceful way. Only a swift enlargement of the EU with the states of the Western Balkans can strengthen the principle of territorial integrity and security in the region and beyond”, declared Pahor.
He also emphasized that enlargement would be beneficial to both the bloc and the Western Balkans.
According to the Slovenian President, every deferment in this aspect would yield undesired effects, listing among others: weakening of mutual trust, slowing down the pace of the reforms, growing nationalism, and opening room for the influence of so-called third countries.
Pahor endorsed the Open Balkan initiative even though it has drawn criticisms, adding that he would not support the idea if it “was an alternative to the European Union”.
“Open Balkans Initiative has a great potential to promote the processes of mutual economic and political cooperation between countries in the region, which will make it more developed and more attractive to expand the European Union,” said the Slovenian President.
The Bled Strategic Forum is also being attended by other top state representatives from the Western Balkans.
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