"Regional cooperation is at the heart of the EU's policy for the Western Balkans. Regional cooperation is fundamental to ensure lasting political stability, security and economic prosperity in a region whose future lies within the EU," Barroso said ahead of a Southeast Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP) summit, scheduled to take place in Zagreb on Friday.
Apart from heads of state and government from Southeast European countries, the summit will be attended by Barroso, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering and Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn.
The European Commission says that at the summit EU leaders will reiterate the European perspective of the Western Balkans and stress the need for maintaining the pace of reform in the region.
"Enhanced local ownership in regional cooperation in Southeast Europe reflects the maturity of a region that is moving away from the tragedies of the 90s, that increasingly pursues cooperation among its countries, and follows a European course," Rehn said.