German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has called for greater economic co-operation between the Western Balkan countries. Speaking at a press conference following a virtual meeting with the foreign ministers of the Western Balkans and several European Union countries, Mass said that EU integration, the rule of law and the implementation of the required reforms are steps that need to be taken seriously by the Balkan countries, if they want membership in the European family. Maas further stated that he does not believe that the first intergovernmental conferences on the membership of Albania and Northern Macedonia in the EU will be opened during the Portuguese presidency of the EU. According to him, if the countries of the Western Balkans meet the required conditions, then there is no need to hesitate to start negotiations.