Paneuropa Austria welcomes Sobotka initiative on Albania

Paneuropa Austria welcomes Sobotka initiative on Albania

A clear European perspective provides the motivation for profound reforms in the Western Balkan states.

For the Paneuropa Movement Austria, the Balkans have always represented a clearly European region, whose security and stability are essential for a peacefully united Europe.

Secretary General Rainhard Kloucek is therefore delighted by the statements made by the President of the National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka. During the state visit of Albanian President Ilir Meta to Vienna, Sobotka emphasised that the stability of the Balkans is inextricably linked to the EU integration of the states there.

“The expansion of the area of security, freedom, and justice to South-Eastern Europe is of enormous importance for Europe,” said Secretary General Kloucek.

“Europe has a vested interest in a stable Balkans; therefore, we welcome every EU initiative to this end. Thanks are also due to Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, who yesterday likewise highlighted the progress in Albania and called for the start of EU accession negotiations from 2019,” says Stefan Haböck, International Officer of the Paneuropa Movement, welcoming the clear words from Austria’s top leadership.

The Paneuropa Movement was founded in 1922, making it the oldest European unification movement. It comprises 24 member organisations in 22 European countries.