The Balkans lie at the heart of Europe, their future is inside the European Union, says EU foreign policy and security chief Federica Mogherini.
The region's path toward the EU was among the 12 issues she would address in 2017, Mogherini added.
“Our work goes on – to overcome the enmities of the past, and to answer the call for jobs, unity and openness coming from this region’s youth,” she wrote on her blog.
“The 2016 list of important moments in our relationship with the Balkans is incredibly long. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s application for membership of the EU. The opening of new chapters for Serbia’s accession negotiations. The first ‘Association Council’ between the EU and Kosovo. The judicial reform in Albania…, the opening of a new phase in the country's path towards the EU; and the privilege, for me, to address Tirana's parliament on our relationship.”