{"id":169035,"date":"2026-06-08T08:43:41","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T06:43:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/?p=169035"},"modified":"2026-06-08T08:43:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T06:43:41","slug":"eu-western-balkans-summit-highlights-enlargement-as-a-strategic-investment-in-europes-peace-stability-and-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/en\/eu-western-balkans-summit-highlights-enlargement-as-a-strategic-investment-in-europes-peace-stability-and-security\/","title":{"rendered":"EU-Western Balkans Summit highlights enlargement as a strategic investment in Europe’s peace, stability and security"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last June 5, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen<\/strong>, President of the European Council Ant\u00f3nio Costa and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola joined leaders from Member States and the six Western Balkan partners at the EU-Western Balkans Summit. The Summit was hosted by Montenegro in Tivat. Leaders took stock of the region’s progress on its European path and discussed the priorities ahead.<\/p>\n

President\u00a0von der Leyen<\/strong>\u00a0said: \u201cThe future of the Western Balkans is in the European Union. With investment, economic integration and closer cooperation, we are bringing the Western Balkans closer to the European Union and together, building a stronger Europe. At a time of growing geopolitical challenges, enlargement is a strategic investment in our shared stability, prosperity and security.”<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Delivering benefits for citizens and businesses in the Western Balkans<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leaders welcomed ongoing reforms and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to a merit-based enlargement process. They stressed that good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation remain essential to unlocking the full benefits of closer integration. They also underlined the importance of further strengthening cooperation on foreign, security and defence policy.<\/p>\n

Leaders took stock of the benefits that gradual integration is already bringing to citizens and businesses across the region. They welcomed progress in implementing the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, including \u20ac673.6 million disbursed since 2024 to support reforms and investments. They also encouraged Western Balkan partners to make the most of the opportunities that the Growth Plan offers by delivering on timely reforms.<\/p>\n

In this context, leaders also noted advances in trade facilitation through Green Lanes, progress towards integration into the EU Single Market and SEPA, and ongoing investments in digital connectivity across the region.<\/p>\n

Building on this progress, the Summit also highlighted new opportunities for cooperation, mobility and connectivity across the region:<\/p>\n