BRUSSELS – European Union and Western Balkans leaders will meet in Brussels on November 25 to discuss the region’s path towards EU membership, reforms and security challenges, the European Council said on Friday.
European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will represent the EU at the summit, which aims to reaffirm the bloc’s commitment to the Western Balkans’ membership prospects.
“The Western Balkans’s future is in the European Union,” Costa said, describing accession as a priority and a strategic geopolitical investment amid global uncertainty.
The summit will urge Western Balkan partners to accelerate reforms and fulfil commitments needed to advance their EU accession bids, the European Council said in a statement.
Leaders will also assess progress towards the region’s gradual integration with the bloc, including through the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, and discuss ways to advance the process.
Security and resilience will feature on the agenda as leaders examine shared challenges in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
The summit forms part of the European Council’s 2024-2029 strategic agenda. Regular EU-Western Balkans summits have been held since 2018.
The most recent meeting between EU and Western Balkans leaders took place in Tivat in June. Costa also visited the region that month for talks on EU enlargement, regional cooperation, security and stability.
EU membership remains a long-term goal for Western Balkan countries, but progress depends on meeting the bloc’s political, institutional and economic requirements
