13 DECEMBER 2023 – BRUSSELS
Thewesternbalkans
Leaders of the European Union and its Member States met the leaders of the sixth Western Balkan countries in Brussels on 13 of December 2023.
The summit was an opportunity to reaffirm the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans and also the need for partners’ sustained and irreversible reform achievements, underpinned by EU values and principles.
A common declaration was issued, putting the engagements from both sides as priority for the near future.
Following the information from the European Council, the main topics of discussion were:
“Bringing Western Balkans partners closer to the EU and advancing gradual integration. The EU reconfirms its full and unequivocal commitment to the European Union membership perspective of the Western Balkans and calls for the acceleration of the accession process, based upon credible reforms by partners, fair and rigorous conditionality and the principle of own merits, which is in our mutual interest. The EU aims to bring the Western Balkans closer to the EU, preparing the ground for accession, and bringing concrete benefits to their citizens already during the enlargement process. To this end, the EU intends to explore additional measures aimed at further advancing gradual integration. The EU also underlines the importance of fully using the potential of existing legal instruments.
The EU welcomed the resolve of the Western Balkans partners to respect and commit to core European values and principles in line with international law.”
The EU is ready to examine proposals made in the new Growth Plan, recently presented by the Commission, for enhancing the economic integration of the Western Balkans with the EU.
Building an economic foundation for the future and mitigating the impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
The common declaration said that “during the summit, EU and Western Balkans leaders took stock of the progress made in various areas such as: digital connectivity including the reduction of data roaming costs; mutual recognition of university diplomas and professional qualifications within the region; transport and connectivity, including the EU-Western Balkans Green and Blue Lanes; continued implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan, with €16.6 billion already mobilised; The EU also strongly welcomed the establishment of a new campus of the College of Europe in Tirana and the launch of the application process for the first academic year, 2024-2025.
Russia bears sole responsibility for the continuing energy and economic crises. The weaponisation of energy, food, and information has affected the Western Balkan partners.
In order to mitigate the impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU is determined to further intensify its political engagement with the Western Balkans region, in addition to the assistance already provided.”
The EU leaders promised that the Union will continue its support for the Western Balkan partners in tackling the negative effects on their economies and societies.
The EU recalled its decision to open the EU’s mechanism for joint purchases of gas and LNG for the Western Balkans, and encouraged its use by partners with gas markets, in order to reduce their dependency on Russian gas.
Reinforcing security and building resilience. The summit was an opportunity to discuss coordinated actions on security and defence matters, which have become even more relevant in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.The EU remains determined to further strengthen cooperation with the Western Balkans on core security and defence issues.
After the meeting the President of the European Council Charles Michele has confirmed the engagements from the European Union and declared that: “The European Union’s project is based on reconciliation. It is based on a common will for the future: to build more prosperity, more security, more peace, more stability. And that is why resolving disputes, resolving conflicts is so important. And that is why we have also encouraged all the leaders present to redouble efforts to resolve disputes and to resolve conflicts”.
Comments: Another summit without special results. As some serious experts in Bulgaria have already commented, the EU increasingly relies on the geopolitical component in its foreign relations, including its enlargement policy. This determines the different level of attention and commitments, and hence the different speed of integration of Ukraine from that foreseen for the Western Balkans. It is enough to look at the letter of invitation of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, to the leaders of the EU Member States to make sure of the priorities that are currently maintained in the highest forum for the management of the European Union.
