State Secretary Štucin underlined the fact that the responsibility for improving the Union lies first and foremost with the Member States, not with the Union itself. When thinking about the future, we should not forget the Western Balkans, which is part of Europe and must also become part of the EU. In this context, he stressed the importance of ensuring a European future for the Western Balkans and the credible continuation of the Union’s enlargement, which is in its strategic interest and regarding which concrete steps must be taken.

State Secretary Štucin also held a number of bilateral meetings on the margins of the Forum: with Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Dvořák, Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Petrova, French Secretary of State for European Affairs Boone, Polish Minister for European Affairs Szyma and Irish Minister of State for European Affairs Byrne. They discussed bilateral cooperation and topical European issues, with a particular focus on Ukraine, the Western Balkans and EU enlargement, the future of the EU, the rule of law, and energy security. In addition, the State Secretary met with the EU Special Representative for Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues, Miroslav Lajčak, and the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture in the Scottish Government, Angus Robertson.