(ANSA) - SOFIA, 11 NOV - The EU's full support for the prospect of European integration of the Western Balkans, in particular through the development of a common regional market and the implementation of a Green Agenda in line with the European objectives to combat climate change, was strongly reiterated at the EU-Western Balkans video summit which took place yesterday. The meeting, held in Sofia as part of the Berlin Process, was jointly chaired by Bulgaria and North Macedonia, with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov speaking of positive symbolism. "It is the first summit jointly organized by an EU member state and a Western Balkan country, and it is a confirmation of our strong commitment to the region's development," Borissov said.

Chancellor Angela Merkel, who spoke at the summit, underlined the importance of today's meeting and congratulated the participants on their countries' progress on the path to creating a regional common market. "It is an encouraging message for economies," Merkel said. According to the German chancellor, "in addition to the challenges of Covid-19, climate change remains a matter of primary importance," of which "the countries of the world are well aware and show responsibility." Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte also took part in the summit of the "Berlin Process" on the Western Balkans, the Council Presidency's website reported. Conte "confirmed the importance of accelerating the European integration of the Western Balkans." (ANSA).