Solving the refugee issue is a key step toward reconciliation among Western Balkan countries, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele told Tanjug on Friday, ahead of his visit to Belgrade.

The return of refugees is one of the most sensitive and most difficult problems that directly affect the life of a majority of people in the region, said Fuele who should take part in Monday's Belgrade summit of the Sarajevo Process which refers to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia.

Leaders of the four Balkan countries meet once a year to coordinate efforts aimed at making it possible for people displaced during the 90's conflicts to return to their homes.

Refugees and displaced persons constitute the most vulnerable part of the population and meeting their needs is a key step toward reconciliation between countries in the region, Fuele said.

In addition to attendance at the summit on solving refugee issues, during his stay in Belgrade Fuele will have separate meetings with political leaders.

The preparation of the programme for the visit is still underway, but meetings such as this one always offer a good chance for bilateral meetings, Tanjug learnt at Fuele's cabinet.

Fuele's visit to Belgrade comes less than a month ahead of the key meeting of the European Council during which competent bodies are supposed to adopt the decision on European Commission's (EC) recommendations regarding the EU integration for the Western Balkans.

The EC issued a recommendation for Serbia to be granted candidate status and for Montenegro and Macedonia to be granted the date of accession talks. The final decision would be adopted by the Council after its member countries voice their stands regarding the EC recommendation in early December.