The leaders of Southeast European countries, including the leaders of the Western Balkans six and European Union (EU) officials, adopted at the Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit in Tirana a declaration stating that Russia’s unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine remains the greatest threat to the European security and international peace.
The 12-point declaration, supported by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, emphasizes, at the very beginning, that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine remains the greatest threat to the European security and international peace.
“This act of aggression is unacceptable; it is a flagrant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and a crime against the Ukrainian people,” reads the declaration.
It expresses “unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders as of 1991,” along with a pledge to provide Ukraine with necessary support, and calls on the international community “to strongly increase support to Ukraine in its ongoing struggle for freedom, independence and territorial integrity.”
The leaders also condemned Russia’s intentions to hold presidential elections in the “temporarily occupied territories” in the eastern part of the country, and in Crimea.
In the declaration the leaders said that Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine “has demonstrated the critical need and crucial importance of a united and strong Europe capable of facing global challenges for the peace and prosperity of its peoples.”
The document expresses full support for Ukraine’s right to choose its own security arrangements, adding that NATO allies and aspiring countries also commend the steps taken towards its future membership in the Alliance and support Ukraine to become a member as soon as security conditions allow.
The summit participants also pledged to “enhance cooperative efforts to fight disinformation, including fake narratives about the war, and to remain committed in combating hybrid warfare and cybersecurity challenges.”
The countries signatories to the declaration expressed their commitment to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine in order to enable the Ukrainian people to rebuild their country, engaging all relevant partners, including private companies and international financial institutions, with the aim of securing the financial support, investments and knowledge needed to ensure a prosperous future for Ukraine and the safe return of people.
In addition to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the document was also signed by Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Chairwoman of the BiH Council of Ministers Borjana Kristo, Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.
