The European Union’s top diplomat Josep Borrell told a conference in Skoplje that the EU and Western Balkans share responsibility in building a peaceful, prosperous and united Europe.

Borrell told the second EU-Western Balkans conference on media literacy that the gathering is a clear example of productive cooperation between the Union and the region in dealing with common challenges.

The High Representative said that the EU is financing studies to strengthen understanding and is investing in education for students and teachers across the Western Balkans. “Investments in strengthening the people of the Western Balkans means investing in a stronger Europe,” Borrell is reported to have said. He warned that misinformation jeopardizes democracies and their values as well as endangering lives and public safety. Borrell said that independent, professional media are investing constant effort to suppress misinformation which, he said, is of crucial importance. According to him, the people of the region are more resilient in the face of misinformation but he added that the EU can’t fight misinformation on its own.