EU-Western Balkans Summit tomorrow, what is expected to happen in Brussels

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani is expected to represent Kosovo at a joint summit of European Union leaders, with leaders of the countries of the Western Balkans region, to be held 13 December at EU headquarters in Brussels.

The normalisation of reports between Kosovo and Serbia is expected to be one of the main topics of debate, as reported during these days.

A joint declaration is expected to be adopted on this summit, with which the strategic orientation of the region for EU integration will be confirmed, and on the other hand, the commitment of the EU in this direction.

This summit precedes the European Council summit, which will take place on 14 December and 15 December 2023.

Free Europe Radio has had access to the draft declaration that is expected to be adopted at this summit.

The European Union will also reiterate its unreserved commitment to EU membership prospects for Western Balkan countries and accelerate this process, given individual credit to candidate countries in the reform process and meeting the criteria.

Here, first of all, the need for progress in the area of rule and law is highlighted and in respecting the fundamental principles and values of the European Union.

The draft text is compiled by the European Union and is expected to support the leaders of Western Balkan countries.

Even this summit is expected to call on Kosovo and Serbia to fulfil obligations from the dialogue, which the European Union facilitates.

“We continue to support the efforts of the EU high representative and the special representative for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and other regional issues in the Western Balkans. We expect constructive commitment by the parties to achieve rapid progress in normalising their reports, which is key to security and stability throughout the region and to ensure the advancement of both sides on their respective European path”, the draft of this joint statement says.

“We extend the invitation to both sides to generally implement the Agreement on the road to normalisation of its reports and annexes, as well as all agreements from the past, without any new, and without preconditions”, is further said in the portion dedicated to reports between Kosovo and Serbia.

There, too, the invitation to reduce tensions in northern Kosovo is repeated.

“We also expect the parties to make steady efforts to reduce tensions in line with EU requirements and refrain from unilateral and co-ordinated actions that could lead to new tensions and violence, as well as to refrain from rhetoric that is not in line with the normalisation of the” reports, the text says.

The European Union will extend an invitation to all partners from the Western Balkans region to resolve all their differences and open issues.

The EU at this summit will also express commitment to helping countries in the region cope with the consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, both in terms of energy and in the face of hybrid threats coming from Russia.

As far as attitudes towards Russia are concerned, the EU is expected to express gratitude to countries which have adapted to the European Union's positions and to seek out those that have not done so as soon as possible. This has to do, first of all, with Serbia, which continues to be the only country in the region that has not supported sanctions against Russia.

“As we deepen our co-operation with partners, we extend the invitation to them to make rapid and steady progress towards full compliance with the EU's common foreign and security policy, including EU restrictive measures in this direction.

We appreciate those partners from the Western Balkans who have already witnessed their strategic commitment by adapting to EU foreign policy overall and encouraging those who have not done so so so far to follow this path. We also encourage improved efforts to implement restrictive measures and prevent their bypass”, the text says.

EU summit and Western Balkans will take place on 13 December, a day before the European Council meets, where enlargement will be one of the main topics