World Bulletin / News Desk

The European Union’s enlargement chief on Thursday pushed for a new common market in the Western Balkans to benefit the region economically and prepare it for EU membership.

"The creation of a common market will attract more investors and create new employment areas," said Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn during an official visit to the Serbian capital Belgrade, where he met with President Aleksandar Vucic.

Speaking to reporters, Hahn said that a joint market in the Western Balkans is a good opportunity for regional countries, explaining that currently the countries in the region are fragmented and not attractive to investors.

Underlining that such a market would cover 20 million people, Hahn said establishing a common market would mean involving Albania and countries of the former Yugoslavia and would help prepare the region for EU membership.

Hahn said EU membership could deliver the prosperity, peace, and stability that the Balkan people have been waiting for, citing the progress of Serbia, which is set to soon open two more chapters in its EU accession negotiations.

Serbia became an EU candidate country in 2012.