Michel: Solving the problems of the past and reconciliation are necessary for progress towards the EU

President of the EU Council Charles Michel emphasized today, ahead of the EU-Western Balkans Summit, that solving the problems of the past and reconciliation were necessary for the progress of the countries in the region towards the EU.

Michel assessed that the Summit was an opportunity for the EU to assess progress with its partners in the Western Balkans and once again express its commitment to enlargement.

He stated that the EU expected more reforms from the countries in the region, especially in the judiciary and the rule of law.

"And we also have to do our homework. The Summit is an opportunity to identify the reforms needed to make our European project ready for future challenges", Michel explained.

He said that the EU wanted more investments in the Western Balkans and added that this was why they had opted for a gradual integration so that entrepreneurs could feel the positive effects of engagement with the EU.

He reminded that the EU was a project based on reconciliation and added that solving the problems of the past and reconciliation were necessary for progress towards the EU.