Bled Strategic Forum kicks off in Slovenia

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - The 18th edition of the annual Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia kicked off on Monday under the theme "Solidarity for Global Security."

Being held in the picturesque Alpine setting of Lake Bled, the two-day conference is a gathering of political, business and civil society representatives from Central and Southeastern Europe.

The forum began with the opening speeches of Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, as well as European Council President Charles Michel.

Besides the floods in Slovenia, described as the worst natural disaster to ever hit the country, the debate revolved around EU enlargement.

Michel said the 27-member bloc must be ready to accept new members by 2030.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic advised the countries involved in the EU membership process to continue their reforms, and emphasized that "the wait is worth it."

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said her country started EU negotiations in 2014 and the people became "desperate" because of the slow progress.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic, Borjana Kristo, president of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia, and North Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski also expressed hope of soon becoming part of the political and economic union.

While Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are still considered "potential candidates," Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, and North Macedonia have acquired the status of "candidate countries" over the years.

Ukraine and Moldova were also declared candidate countries in June 2022.