Western Balkans not yet ready to join EU: Juncker

SOFIA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker here on Friday said Western Balkans has a clear vision to join the EU, but the region is still not ready to join the bloc.

At a joint press conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Juncker welcomed that Bulgaria's six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) gave the topic of the Western Balkans the attention it deserves.

However, according to Juncker, admission of new members to the EU would not be possible before the end of the mandate on Jan. 1, 2020, because preparations have not advanced enough to make it happen.

The mandate of the next European Commission would be to work on public opinion in EU member states towards this direction, Juncker said.

It is extremely important for the Western Balkans to have a clear European perspective, and it should be reconfirmed, Juncker said.

"The topic of the Western Balkans is very clear," Borissov said in turn.

He said the focus of the region was the building of infrastructure in the Balkans like railways, highways, harbors, and water treatment plants.

"I think that this does not pose a risk to the EU, and will allow for greater competitiveness, more investment, more tourism, more convergence of cultures and understanding of peoples across the EU," Borissov said.

The Western Balkans includes countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.

Borissov said that providing European perspective and connectivity to the region is one of the priorities of Bulgaria's EU presidency. Enditem