The purpose of the meeting was to exchange opinions and experience regarding the development, problems and needs of Western Balkan states -- Albania, BH, Macedonia, and SCG, said Peter Stania, director of the Vienna-based International Institute for Peace, which organised the event in cooperation with the Vienna Diplomatic Academy.
Stania said the Western Balkan states were determined to integrate with the European Union as soon as possible but were faced with the long process of reform and adjustment to European standards and criteria.
Representatives of EU member Slovenia and accession candidate Croatia spoke of their experience in development and said they were highly interested in the stability of the region's states.
The conclusions of the meeting will be delivered to the Austrian Foreign Ministry for a discussion at a meeting of EU and Western Balkan foreign ministers in Salzburg in March, said Stania.