VIENNA, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- A conference for the interior ministers of the European Union (EU) as well as Southern European states was held in Vienna on Thursday, with asylum centers in the Western Balkans a key topic on Thursday's agenda.

Austrian interior minister Herbert Kickl acknowledged that negotiations have taken place with Western Balkans countries on this issue, but did not wish to divulge further details, Austrian Press Agency reported.

The countries in question, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, and Montenegro have not however appeared open to the suggestion.

Albanian interior minister Fatmir Xhafaj was diplomatic in his response, however, saying his country seeks better and "more pro-active" support from the EU, though is willing to cooperate to "solve difficult problems".

The conference, titled "Security and Migration -- Promoting Partnership and Resilience", is to run for two days, with many interior ministers as well as other officials reportedly only planning to attend in person on Friday.