The European Union (EU) and the countries of the Western Balkans will meet once more in Brussels, on Wednesday, at a summit to align community security policies, given the global geopolitical context, aiming at a gradual integration of the region
At a time of geopolitical tensions due to the almost two years of Russian invasion of Ukraine and the two months of intense conflicts in the Middle East between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas, European officials said that this EU-Balkan summit will be “one of the most important events of throughout the year in the field of foreign affairs, security and defense” between both blocs.
“Greater emphasis will be placed on alignment with the CFSP (EU Common Foreign and Security Policy) and this is extremely important in this increasingly complex geostrategic environment, in which we would like to continue and further strengthen the partnership we have established or launched”, indicated the same community sources, speaking in advance of the meeting.
The priorities of this summit are “building partners and bringing them closer to the EU and advancing gradual integration, building solid economic foundations for the future and combating the negative impact of Russia’s war of aggression once morest Ukraine and strengthening resilience also through fundamental issues security and defense”, these European officials listed, highlighting the need for “the best possible preparation” particularly in the face of “large-scale cyber incidents”.
The EU-Balkan summit (with the 27 member states of the Union and also Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) takes place one day before the start of a decisive European Council, in which the the opening of formal negotiations with Ukraine regarding future enlargement.
Asked regarding the possible blockage of accession talks with Kiev, European sources compared: “I think some of the Balkan leaders will feel a little like we used to feel when we were children on Christmas Eve, desperately wanting to know what gifts will be under the tree ”.
“Of course, if later on at the end of this week, we are able to make progress and follow through on some of the recommendations that have been made by the Commission regarding Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and to some extent also Bosnia, I think that will give an additional boost to the way the (EU-Balkans) summit is viewed”, they concluded, saying they expected a final declaration that reflects “positive developments that have taken place over the last 12 months”.
As for the Western Balkans, criticism is currently emerging within the community bloc regarding “double standards” regarding the EU enlargement process, since despite the Union having been developing a policy of supporting progressive integration, these countries have been several years waiting to ‘enter’.
In 2013, Croatia became the first of the Western Balkan countries to join the EU, while Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia officially have candidate country status.
Meanwhile, negotiations have begun and accession chapters have been opened with Montenegro and Serbia, in addition to negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia beginning in July 2022 and Kosovo presenting its application for membership in December 2022.
This is the third EU-Balkan summit, following one in Slovenia in 2021 and another in Albania in 2022.
Portugal will be represented at this high-level meeting by the Prime Minister, António Costa, who was in the Western Balkans a few days ago for Portugal’s commitment on the EU’s enlargement to the region.
Last year, the EU had a 70% share in merchandise trade with the Balkans.
