(ANSA) - BELGRADE, SEP 17 - In a letter to European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, the foreign ministers of Italy, Germany, Austria, and Slovenia urge "more to be done" to restart the EU enlargement process by providing "a clear path to accession for candidate and potential candidate countries." The letter, obtained by ANSA, emphasises the "strategic necessity" of EU enlargement, particularly in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which "radically changed Europe's security architecture." The ministers recognise "some positive steps taken in the right direction, particularly in the context of gradual integration," but stress the need for "more." "In a context of increasing competition for influence in our neighbourhood, the European Union must offer a clear path to accession for candidate and potential candidate countries, while reaffirming its role as a reliable and proactive actor," the ministers noted, urging the Commission to "develop further proposals to simplify and streamline the enlargement methodology of accession negotiations, ensuring a level playing field for all candidates," while maintaining its cooperation. They concluded that only a credible enlargement process would encourage candidate countries to adopt and implement the necessary reforms. (ANSA).