Summit in Brussels gathers leaders of EU, Western Balkans

The goal of the EU-Western Balkans summit, according to bloc officials, is to strengthen the partnership between the European Union and the Western Balkan countries, requiring the gradual integration of these countries into some EU policies even before they one day become member states.

This summit is expected to send the message that the EU will handle the enlargement process as a top priority and express interest in accelerating this process. This is included in the text of the Joint Declaration prepared for approval at the summit.

“Enlargement is a geostrategic investment in peace, stability and prosperity. Now there is a new dynamism in the enlargement process. Acceleration of the enlargement process, based on fair and strict conditions and principles of individual merits, is in common interest”, the draft of this document says.

Countries in the Western Balkan region will be called on to resolve differences between themselves as well as with neighbours in the EU in order to speed up the enlargement process.

The regional and bilateral differences that have roots in the past have long hampered future focus. Integrated bilateral agreements with trust and tangible results, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Friendship Treaty, the good neighbourly agreement and co-operation with Bulgaria remain key”, the document said.

In particular, it will be called on Kosovo and Serbia to advance in the process of normalising the reports between them by meeting the obligations that come out of the dialogue, which the EU facilitates.

The “Agreements reached within the EU facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, including the Agreement on the Road to normalisation, must be implemented without new delays. The EU invites all partners to guarantee the rights and equal treatment of those belonging to minorities”, the draft of the declaration's text notes.

President Vjosa Osmani will take part in the summit from Kosovo. Also present will be Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic, Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, Northern Macedonia Prime Minister Hristian Mickoski, and Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency Chairman Zeljka Cvianovic.

In addition to the heads of state or government of EU member states, the president of the European Council, Antonia Costa, as the host of the meeting, then European Commission President Ursula von der Leenen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Kaya Kallas. / REL/