Mogherini backs Western Balkan enlargement

Reports of remarks by the Italian foreign minister Federica Mogherini to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, Brussels, 2 September 2014 on the external relations priorities of the Italian EU Presidency for the period July-December 2014.

EUObserver reported that she called called for progress on Western Balkan enlargement, while saying Russia was no longer an EU 'strategic partner'.

EU enlargement remained a core project, because it helped to stabilise states in the EU's neighbourhood - enlargement was 'not just our interest, but our duty'.

European Parliament: News: Press Release, 02.09.14: Italian Presidency priorities discussed by EP committees http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20140722IPR53208/

EurActiv, 03.09.14: Mogherini: Russia is no longer the EU’s strategic partner http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/mogherini-russia-no-longer-eus-strategic-partner-308152

BBC News, 02.09.14: EU's Mogherini calls for Nato muscle in Eastern Europe http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29030736

ESO: Background information: Remarks by President Barroso following the Western Balkans Summit http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-remarks-by-president-barroso-following-the-western-balkans-summit/

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