The Western Balkans point 13th on the European Council summit agenda, Costa: There is new momentum in the enlargement process

The negotiating Council's agenda will also be the Western Balkans as the 13th point.

European Council President Antono Costa, at the invitation to the members, has cited the latest EU-Western Balkans summit held in Montenegro, saying there is a new “hov in the enlargement process.

“S -- along with the new moment in terms of the Western Balkans -- as seen during our recent summit in Tivat with partners in that region -- has a renewed momentum in the enlargement process”, he said.

Topping the agenda of this summit will be Ukraine and Union support for it.

“Ukrainian has again proven success on the battlefield, while Russia is failing to achieve its military and strategic goals. Russia's increasingly reckless and irresponsible behaviour towards the member states of the European Union is unacceptable and indicates the opposite of force. Our two-way approach, support for Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia, is producing results”, Costa said.

He said this meeting of the Council would provide an opportunity to send “a strong unity signal” and unveiled its expectations to welcome the opening of the first chapter group in membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.

Yesterday, European Union leaders agreed Thursday to renew sanctions on Russia for its fight against Ukraine for another 12 months, a spokesman for the chairman of the meeting said.

Thursday's decision at this summit in Brussels marked the first time these sanctions target specific Russian economy sectors are renewed for a period of one year. They have previously lasted every six months.