Virtual summit tomorrow between the EU and the Western Balkans, Kosovo participates

The EU is the most important partner of the Western Balkan region, and videoconference will underline the importance of unique EU-Western relations. European Union, Western Balkans united in fight COVID-19. The summit will provide another opportunity to highlight mutual solidarity and co-operation in these times of crisis.

Partners in the region have contributed to help EU member states and the European Union decided 29 April to offer a package worth over 3.3 billion euros to help the Western Balkans cope with the coronary crisis. This package aims to support urgent health measures, as well as to help with social and economic recovery from difficulties marred as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

Solidarity and Investment

In addition to this strengthened support, the Commission will underline at the EU-Western Balkans summit on May 6th 2020, even the extensive long-term support parameters that will be presented next year in the form of an Economic and Investment Plan for the region.

As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyeen has stated, the EU has “a special responsibility to help in this pandemic our partners in the Western Balkans, as their future is clearly in the European Union.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leeyen

The EU is mobilised a considerable financial package, confirming strong solidarity. According to von der Leyen, together we will overcome this crisis and recover. And beyond that, we will continue to support the region, including the necessary reforms on their path to the EU, as recovery will function effectively only if the countries continue to carry out their commitments.

New Co-operation Face

Summit participants will exchange opinions on the new phase of close co-operation to address the powerful socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the importance of regional co-operation, as well as the best management of security challenges.

European Council President Charles Michel will lead the meeting. He will represent the EU together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyeen. At the EU-Western Balkans summit, heads of state or government of EU member states, leaders of six partner countries in the Western Balkans will participate: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, the Republic of Northern Macedonia and Kosovo.

Andrey Plenkovi will also attend the meeting, Croatia's prime minister, who currently holds the presidency of the Council, Josep Borrell, European Foreign and Security Policy High Representative David Sasssol, European Parliament President, as well as representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank, the European Investment Bank and the Regional Co-operation Council.