Sofia Issue: Varhelyi Says there is Quiet Diplomacy at Current Stage

2021 may be a year of the Western Balkans, but everyone must contribute. June is a critical month. This was the message sent by EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi at the Tirana Summit on Thursday. Asked about the Skopje-Sofia issue, he said the European Commission was working hard, adding that there was quiet diplomacy at the current stage. According to PM Zoran Zaev, the implementation of the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan in the Western Balkans will stimulate economic activity, increase investments, and strengthen competitiveness and innovation. Albanian PM Edi Rama considers that the EU has done its job, while it is now up to leaders to fulfill the tasks. On the sidelines of the Summit, Zaev and his Albanian counterpart signed the deal to establish joint border and customs controls at the border-crossings between the two countries.