EU to propose enhancing security of Western Balkans

FILE PHOTO: High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell attends a news conference after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Brussels, Belgium, February 28, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman

The European Union will propose enhancing the security and defence of Western Balkans countries to "anchor" the region firmly within the 27-member bloc amid concern about threats from Russia, the EU's foreign policy chief said on Monday.

Josep Borrell told a news conference in Skopje that this was a moment to "reinvigorate the enlargement process" of the EU, and formal negotiations for the accession of North Macedonia and Albania to the bloc should start as soon as possible.

(Reporting by Sabine Siebold and John Chalmers)