European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of EU enlargement to the Western Balkans as she addressed the opening of the Bled Strategic Forum on 2 September. "Enlargement is an investment in our collective strength and security," she said.

Noting that enlargement has returned to the top of the EU's political agenda during her first term at the European Commission, she stressed that "Russia's full-fledged war in Ukraine is for Europe a turning point like 1989".

"I want our work to speed up even more. In the next Commission, enlargement must be a full-time job that allows undivided attention. This is why I will appoint a dedicated commissioner for enlargement. Let us write history together," she said.

"If making Europe economically competitive and capable of defending itself is our fundamental objective - then I see the integration of the Western Balkans in the European Union as critically important," she said.

Whenever there is progress towards reconciliation and regional integration in the Western Balkans, the Kremlin tries to stir up old conflicts and sow division - inside the Western Balkans, and between the Western Balkans and the rest of Europe, she said.

"But the vast majority of people in the Western Balkans do not want fragmentation, they want integration. And that is what we must deliver to them," von der Leyen stressed.

"In an age of geostrategic rivalries, a larger European Union gives us a stronger voice in the world. A bigger single market increases our competitiveness and our leverage as a trading partner. It gives us the tools to respond to blackmail and unfair competition. And it gives us greater common purchasing power."

A strong, competitive, and secure Europe includes the Western Balkans as well as Ukraine and Moldova and all those whose European aspirations are matched by their deeds, the Commission president said.

She pointed to the new Growth Plan, launched a year ago, saying that this work was beginning to show results. "Tirana is Europe's fastest growing airport. European companies are setting up shop in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina at an accelerated pace.

"Kosovo's economic reforms have been heralded by the IMF and are generating economic benefits. North Macedonia's investments in infrastructure are a source of inspiration. Montenegro has just seen its credit rating upgraded on the back of its sound policies.

"By the end of the year, three of you could already join our single euro payments area. This will generate savings of over EUR 500 million every year ..."

Later this month, new reform agendas will be formed, ranging from justice reform to the fight against organised crime, from public procurement to electricity market integration, which are linked to EUR 6 billion in EU funds. "Every reform will unlock new investments," von der Leyen said.

But according to her, "our political will to integrate the countries in the region as soon as possible comes along with our firm determination that the European Union is a community of democracies". "Any compromise with our democratic principles would be fatal to achieving our objectives," she warned.

Noting that accession talks had started with Albania, North Macedonia, Ukraine and Moldova, and that Bosnia and Herzegovina can be next in line, she expressed gratitude to Slovenia "for your relentless work on this", especially regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Bled Strategic Forum has become a tradition and it is also a testament to Slovenia's global leadership, she said. "The same leadership that we could all see in action this year, through your work in the UN Security Council. You have been an honest broker in turbulent times ... You have made Slovenia stand out on the global stage," she said.