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"The start of the negotiations in June 2019 will contribute to strengthening the stability of these countries' external and harmful interests of other actors, and will ensure that the EU will continue to be the key player in a positive transformation of the region," the statement said.
The chiefs of diplomacy of the 13 EU member states emphasize that it is essential to continue with the Western Balkans integration process, and according to them, along with this process, there is no Plan B.
"It is essential to ensure the overall progress of the region. The EU must fulfill its clear commitment to the European integration of the Western Balkans. There is no plan B," the statement states.
The statement was signed by the Foreign Ministers of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, Malta, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia and Slovakia.
This statement comes at a time when EU member states are divided in terms of opening accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia.
The European Commission has recommended the unconditional opening of membership negotiations between Brussels, Skopje and Tirana.
The debate on the Council of the European Union will be held in June, however, because these issues require reconciliation between EU member states, at this moment there is no common EU position to confirm the European Commission's recommendation.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker acknowledged previously that there is currently no consensus among member states about approving the opening of accession negotiations.