EU, Western Balkans hold summit as bloc reassures region of future membership

The leaders of the European Union and the Western Balkans countries convened in Albania for its summit. The meeting aims to assure the leaders of the Western Balkan nations of having a future in the bloc as fears remain about Russia and China’s growing influence.

The leaders of the EU and the six Western Balkans countries comprising Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia met in the Albanian capital of Tirana for the summit this week.

The leaders of the Western Balkan nations have expressed some frustration regarding the negotiations that have either not started or have stalled years after they were promised a place in the EU. The summit aims for the bloc to assure the region that they will eventually become members.

Some EU member countries have expressed reluctance to expand the regional grouping. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted the region to bring the Western Balkans closer to the EU.

“I am absolutely convinced that the future of our children will be safer and more prosperous with the Western Balkans within the EU and we are working very hard to make progress,” said EU Council Chief Charles Michel at the start of Tuesday’s meeting.

In a step towards eventual membership, the telecommunications providers in the EU and the six leaders of the Western Balkans signed an agreement during the meeting on a cut in data roaming charges starting in October 2023. While some of the region’s leaders welcomed the step, others have expressed that they want more.

Kosovan President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu said that the nation would submit its formal application for EU membership by the end of the year. Sadriu said that she hopes an EU summit that will take place next week will approve visa liberalization for Kosovo.

On the same day, a senior EU diplomat said that the bloc has drafted a new proposal to normalize ties between Kosovo and Serbia that included a clear timeline of actions. The diplomat revealed that the draft proposal was given to both sides and that they expect Serbia and Kosovo to reach an agreement in less than a year.