Future of the region lies in the European Union (EU), and this is the only framework that guarantees further development and stability both in the region and Europe, the Western Balkan foreign ministers agreed on Friday at a meeting held in Montenegrin coastal town of Budva.

Heads of the diplomacies of the Western Balkan six (WB6) assessed that the year behind was crucial for the region in terms of the enhancement of European perspective, according to a statement issued by the Montenegrin Foreign Ministry.

The host of the meeting, Foreign Minister of Montenegro Srdjan Darmanovic recalled that his country initiated a cooperation of this format six years ago.

“We are sure that the success of each country is a success of all of us,” he said, pointing out that Montenegro strongly supports the progress of its neighbours on the path to Europe.

The ministers among other topics discussed the importance of digital agenda for the Western Balkans as well as the youth agenda, two prerequisites for further development and prosperity of the region.

“Exactly the youth is future we must invest in,” said Darmanovic, adding that Montenegro strongly supports an initiative to form the international institute of sustainable technologies in the South-east Europe region.

It would contribute to better connectivity among the youth, he said, opening of new jobs and would advance economic development.

The meeting was attended by foreign ministers of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia’s Foreign Ministry state secretary, as well as the foreign officials including Deputy Managing Director Europe and Central Asia / Director Western Europe, Western Balkans, and Turkey at the European External Action Service (EEAS) Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro Aivo Orav, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Goran Svilanovic and others.