Western Balkans, theme at US-EU summit in Washington

The situation in the Western Balkans and common engagement in this region will be one of the topics of the summit between the United States and the European Union, which takes place on 20 October in Washington.

Thus, free Europe sources in Brussels confirmed that in consultations with American partners the Western Balkans are also mentioned as the summit theme.

Diplomatic sources said, however, that this topic is not expected for US and EU leaders to devote much time to the summit, as it will discuss the two biggest crises in the world currently, respectively, for Russia's fight against Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militants of Hamas. Also, attention will be received from business reports with China.

However, the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, which is mediated by the EU and supported by the US, the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the overall situation in the Western Balkans, are topics that require the common care of Washington and Brussels.

A day after the summit is held in Washington, Kosovo and Serbia will begin the US envoy's visit to the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, with colleagues from Germany, France and Italy. The international representatives' visit aims to revive dialogue on normalisation of reports between Kosovo and Serbia.

In the EU, it is extremely important that the US support Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, but also the leading role of the EU as a facilitator in the process.

The US-EU summit is the first to take place after more than two years. The meeting Friday will be American President Joe Biden, meanwhile from the EU to the summit, European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyeen and senior foreign policy and security representative Josep Borrell will participate.

Joint support for Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression is expected to be expressed at this meeting.