EU Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn told to Radio Free Europe that a common market of the Western Balkans could be possible within two or three years, if there is political will in the region.
Hahn said that "people must sense the added value of European commitment".
"I think this is something that needs a political will and could be possible within two or three years,"Hahn made the comments before the publication of the annual report on enlargement of the European Commission which assessed the achievements and shortfalls of the results of the Western Balkan countries that aim to join the EU.
"Our goal is to stop the brain drain from the region, to give to the region a perspective and for example a common market in the Balkans could be a purpose and this will eventually create jobs", said Hahn for REL.
A common market that includes the free movement of people, goods, services and capital already exists between the 28 EU countries, but Hahn did not specify how would be a common market of aspiring countries to become EU members of.
None of the countries expected to join the EU before 2020, but the bloc will see other options to make the EU more present in the aspirant countries. The construction of infrastructure connecting the countries closer to each other is one of the ways that Brussels hopes will increase the popularity of the region.