The EU and Western Balkans share responsibility for building a peaceful, prosperous, and united Europe, EU's Foreign Policy High Representative, Josep Borrell, said in Skopje, speaking at a EU-Western Balkans conference on media literacy.

This gathering is a clear example of productive cooperation between the EU and the region in dealing with their common challenges, Borrell said.

The High Representative said that the EU is financing studies to strengthen understanding and is investing in education for students and teachers across the Western Balkans.

“Investments in strengthening the people of the Western Balkans means investing in a stronger Europe,” Borrell said.

He warned that misinformation jeopardizes democracies and their values as well as endangering lives and public safety. Borrell said that independent, professional media outlets are investing constant effort to suppress misinformation which, he said, is of crucial importance.

According to him, the people of the region are more resilient in the face of misinformation but he added that the EU can’t fight misinformation on its own.