It is indeed an honour to speak before this respected forum. For more than two decades now, the political and economic fate of the Balkans has been closely tied to the efforts of the European Union to stabilize the region and put it on the road to peace, reforms and economic development. Billions of Euros in reconstruction aid and thousands of soldiers, police officers and experts are a testimony to the EU's commitment to the region. Now with the horrible conflicts behind us, it is time for the Balkan region to move closer to the European Union in a political and economic framework. It takes great political courage and wisdom to make the necessary steps to bring about reforms which are sometimes painful and unpopular. But there is no alternative but make the journey towards Europe.