EU-Western Balkans summit on 25 November in Brussels

The leaders of the European Union and the Western Balkans will meet in Brussels on 25 November for a summit dedicated to the strategic importance of relations between the EU and the Western Balkans region, the European Council announced.

The European Union will be represented at the summit by European Council President Antonio Costa, together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“The future of the Western Balkans is in the European Union. Their accession is our priority, our shared ambition and a key geopolitical investment in these turbulent times. The EU is and will remain the region's most reliable partner,” European Council President Antonio Costa said.

The summit will provide an opportunity for the EU to reaffirm its commitment to the prospect of Western Balkan countries joining the Union and encourage its partners to accelerate the implementation of key reforms and fulfil their commitments, which are necessary for progress on the path towards EU membership.

The leaders will also review progress on the gradual integration of the Western Balkans into the EU, particularly through the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, as well as opportunities to further improve it.

Finally, they will discuss shared challenges and ways to strengthen security and resilience in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.