Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes the need to strengthen the EU Delegations in the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkan countries and enable them to assist these countries in completing the reforms and to more effectively communicate how the EU is helping citizens there; stresses the necessity of developing more horizontal links and fostering cooperation among the EU Delegations in the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans regions, particularly establishing regular exchanges of information and expertise and other successful working approaches, in order to provide a best possible assistance to the neighbouring countries engaged in pro-democratic and pro- European reforms;