New developments: New EC chief expected next week to meet Balkan leaders

The new president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, is expected to gather leaders of the six Western Balkan countries next week, a few days after taking office.

Radio Free Europe He learns from diplomatic sources that he will organise this meeting on Tuesday and December 3rd in Brussels.

Costa, former prime minister of Portugal, will officially launch the mandate at the helm of the Council on Sunday, December 1st, after being appointed to this position as the successor of the president-general, Charles Michel.

According to diplomatic sources in Brussels, Costa wants to send a signal to this meeting that in his work the Western Balkan region will take into account as a priority and that he wants to have regular reports with regional leaders.

This meeting will also be the opportunity for him to become personally acquainted with the leaders of the countries of the region, but also to discuss the preparation of a special EU and Western Balkans summit that would take place on 18 December in Brussels.

Summits between the EU and the Western Balkans have already become regular and develop at least once a year. The tradition is expected to be held by the new president of the Council.

The same day that the Costa mandate begins, the new European Commission's mandate is expected to begin.

Usually, at high-level meetings between the EU and the countries of the region, when the president of the European Council is host, the commissioners for enlargement and high representatives for foreign policy and security also attend.

It has been unofficially warned that at dinner on December 3rd there will be future EU High Representative Kaya Kallas, and Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos.

This would also be the first time these two members of the new European Commission meet with leaders of Western Balkan countries.