Keynote speech by President von der Leyen at Bled Strategic Forum; von der Leyen praises Slovenia's global leadership, addresses 'World of Parallel Realities' theme

"Check against delivery"

Prime Minister Golob, dear Robert,

President Musar, dear Nataša,

Prime Minister Plenkovic, dear Andrej,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to be back in Slovenia, and to the stunning beauty of Bled. This Forum has become a tradition. And it is also a testament to Slovenia's global leadership. 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. Congratulations to you, dear Robert, and to your Foreign Minister. You have made Slovenia stand out on the global stage.

The title of today's Bled Forum is: ‘A World of Parallel Realities'. It is a sobering assessment of the new environment we live in. This is a moment of fracture for the world. And one of the main fault lines has opened up, right here on our continent. Russia has chosen to burn its bridges with European neighbours, by invading a peaceful country. Putin and his cronies have shown that they do not believe in a global order based on rules. They believe they can do anything they please, within their so-called sphere of influence. Dear Yulia Navalnaya, we have not forgotten the fate of your brave husband Alexei. They fought him. They imprisoned him. And ultimately, they killed him. But they cannot kill Alexei Navalny's dream of a free Russia. Because it lives on in you, dear Yulia and in so many others.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Throughout history this region has often been a frontier between worlds. Between East and West. Between North and South. But its new generations have chosen a different path. They have chosen to be part of a common European family. They have chosen to travel, to trade and to thrive together with their European neighbours. The current Russian leadership, living in the past, refuses to accept this simple reality. Whenever there is progress towards reconciliation and regional integration in the Western Balkans, the Kremlin tries to stir up old conflicts. Russia is constantly at work to sow division – inside the Western Balkans and between the Western Balkans and the rest of Europe. But the vast majority of people in the Western Balkans want integration, not fragmentation. And we must deliver.

During my first mandate at the European Commission, enlargement has returned to the top of our political agenda. Let us be very clear: Russia's full-fledged war in Ukraine is for Europe a turning point like 1989. We live in a different world and we are forced to rethink our policies and objectives. 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. 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. Enlargement is an investment in our collective strength and security. In other words: 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.

This is why we have instilled new life into the enlargement process. We started accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia. We started accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. Bosnia and Herzegovina can be next in line. And I want to thank Slovenia for your relentless work on this.

It was this strategic reasoning that urged us to rethink our enlargement strategies and to come with the idea of gradual integration. Exactly one year ago, we launched the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. And this work is beginning to show results. Let us pause for a moment and celebrate these achievements of which you, the Western Balkan leaders, should rightfully be very proud of. Tirana is Europe's fastest-growing airport. European companies are setting up shop in Serbia and Bosnia 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, once you are all in. Dear friends, it is not even a year since we formulated this objective. Now it is an emerging reality. You can be so proud of it.

Later this month, our six partners will adopt their brand-new reform agendas. They have identified, with our support, some far-reaching and often overdue reforms, ranging from justice reform to the fight against organised crime, from public procurement to electricity market integration. These new reform agendas are linked to EUR 6 billion in European investments. Every reform will unlock new investments.

This Growth Plan is the same model of our own Recovery Plan, NextGenerationEU. And when all these reforms will be completed, each partner will receive roughly as much aid per person as they would under the European Union's own cohesion policy. Why is this important? It is important because the EU is in the process of reinventing itself in the new geopolitical context and we want our Western Balkans partners to be active participants in the conversation on the future of the European Union. And I see many friends from our candidate countries in the audience today. So let me be very clear. 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.

But 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. Both EU Member States and the countries in the Western Balkans' region will face tough choices. Bilateral disputes should be dealt with. Integration in the EU will depend on governments, making difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions. But this is the time we live in. Postponing decisions means making wrong decisions. But taking decisions and moving forward means taking the lead, shaping our future, being the masters of our own destiny. This is the essence of Europe. This is the spirit that we must have, to navigate the challenges of a fracturing world.

Thank you for your attention and long live Europe.