Farnesina –
On July 27, 2023 the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Albania, Bulgaria and North Macedonia met in Brindisi to discuss concrete ways to enhance their cooperation and support the implementation of the pan-European Corridor n. VIII connecting the Adriatic and Black seas.
The Ministers stressed the strategic value of Corridor VIII as part of the core TEN[1]T network. They agreed that its completion, in both the rail and motorway connections, would contribute significantly to the economic growth of the region and to the integration of the Western Balkans in the EU single market. The Ministers also underscored the relevance of Corridor VIII for enhancing military mobility in the region in the NATO and EU frameworks.
The Ministers agreed to spare no efforts in support of the swift implementation of Corridor VIII and to promote the opportunities that the infrastructure can disclose for the private sector and civil society. In this respect, the Ministers exchanged views on mobilizing additional financial support for Corridor VIII, and on ways to promote stakeholder engagement, including local communities.
Recognizing EU membership as catalyst for overcoming bilateral or regional issues and fostering reconciliation, the Ministers reiterated their firm support for the European integration of the Western Balkans based on own merits and the need for the enlargement process to produce tangible results, above all for the benefit of the citizens of the Western Balkans, in particular young generations.
While firmly condemning the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the Ministers exchanged views on the security challenges faced by the EU and the Western Balkans. They agreed that the swift implementation of Corridor VIII can contribute to the stability of the region and mitigate malign third-party influence, hybrid threats, disinformation and irregular migration. The Ministers also discussed the importance of promoting a strategic vision to comprehensively address the issue of migration.
The Ministers agreed to consolidate this format as a political platform for dialogue and cooperation and decided to hold a second meeting in the near future.
