LJUBLJANA, July 25 (Xinhua)-- Top leaders of Western Balkan countries called here for the enlargement of the European Union (EU) during a Brdo Process conference jointly hosted by Slovenian President Borut Pahor and his Croatian counterpart Ivo Josipovic at Brdo pri Kranju on Thursday.

EU enlargement must continue, sources closed to the meeting quoted the participants as saying.

The leaders Balkan countries attached the importance to their regular meetings and high-level political dialogues with the EU, and expressed readiness to strengthen stability through cooperation.

Apart from leaders of Slovenia and Croatia, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, President Atifete Jahjaga of Kosovo, Montenegro's Filip Vujanovic, Macedonia's Gjorge Ivanov, Zeljko Komsic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Aujar Nishani of Albania were present at the conference.

French President Francois Hollande, who arrived here on Thursday morning, was also invited to the meeting.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Hollande said that the Western Balkans, which has tragic and war-stricken past, cannot be left out when Europe expects to have peace.

France will intensify its role in the Western Balkans, Hollande said, adding that France would raise the issue of EU prospects for the Balkan countries at the next EU summit.

Addressing the press conference, Pahor underscored the importance of tackling thorny issues through dialogues and consultations in the Brdo Process.

"The more we tackle the issues, the more attractive this part of Europe will become," he noted.

The next Brdo Process conference will be held in Croatia, and the upcoming meeting will be attended by European Parliament President Martin Schulz, according to Pahor.

On domestic financial crisis, Pahor reiterated that Slovenia will be able to overcome the crisis, noting that Slovenia has successfully issued bonds on the international financial markets.

Hollande voiced his support for Slovenia's effort in dealing with financial problems. Referring to recent speculations that Slovenia might be the next eurozone member to require international aid, the French leader said that there was no reason to sound the alarm.

Slovenia has not made any official aid request, he said.