The group of seven industrialized countries praised Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and northern Macedonia for fully aligning their foreign policy with the European Union, including sanctions, and called on Serbia to do the same.

They have also strongly supported the rapid opening of negotiations between Northern Macedonia and Albania with the European Union, reports AIM.

The G7 Foreign Ministers welcome the progress in comprehensive regional cooperation and energy transition, especially through the Common Regional Market and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans as part of the Berlin Process, the German Foreign Ministry said on its website last night after the meeting.

in Germany.

The G7 ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the European perspective of the six Western Balkan countries, which are said to guarantee security, stability and prosperity in the region.

They welcomed the fact that the Western Balkans were united in condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine, especially in the UN General Assembly.

They welcomed the observance of the EU restrictive measures against Russia by Bosnia and Herzegovina and the unilateral respect of Kosovo with these measures.

The G7 foreign ministers called on Kosovo and Serbia to engage constructively in the EU-mediated dialogue, to fully implement all previous agreements without delay, and to normalize relations through a comprehensive and binding agreement.

The statement added that the G7 countries should continue to "help the Western Balkans reduce its dependence on Russian energy and its sensitivity to economic obligation".

The statement expressed concern about the deepening political crisis in BiH and condemned any attempt to undermine the country's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The G7 members are the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.