Thewesternbalkans
At the 7th summit of the European Political Community (EPC), which took place on 2 October 2025 in Copenhagen, the main focus was on security in Europe, support for Ukraine and strengthening pan-European resilience to threats (including hybrid and cyber threats). The meeting, bringing together 47 heads of state and government from across the continent, has been chaired by European Council President Antonio Costa and chaired by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The main topics were Ukraine and Europe’s security situation and more precisely strengthening Europe’s defence following Russia’s violations of several countries’ airspaces and support for Ukraine.
The EPC was founded in 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Its official purpose is to strengthen political dialogue and cooperation on resolving issues of mutual interest, as well as to enhance the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent.
The political coordination platform does not aim to supplant the EU or any other extant organization, structure or process, nor does it – at this point – aim to form any new such entities of its own. The EPC has no permanent structure, institutions or budget, nor are declarations adopted at its summits. The summits are held twice a year and are hosted alternately by EU and non-EU member countries. The first such meeting was held in Prague in 2022, while the last was hosted by Tirana in May 2025.
The six Western Balkans countries were represented in Copenhagen at their highest level and the messages they advanced are of particular importance. The symbolic high-level presence at an equal table with heads of EU and partner countries increased the visibility of their problems and their desire for integration.
Demands were heard from the Western Balkan countries to accelerate the EU accession process – in particular, Albania and Montenegro demonstrated that they were ready and expected concrete steps.
Western Balkan leaders used the occasion to discuss with European institutions and countries important issues such as the economy, security and the European perspective.
Calls were heard from the EU side to maintain commitment to reforms — that the countries of the region accelerate domestic reforms, especially regarding the rule of law, transparency and efficiency of administrations.
No substantial new commitments for accession were made, nor legally binding decisions. The EPC remains a forum for dialogue, not an institution with legal binding powers.
For the Western Balkans, the topics of European integration, while present, seemed more distant, displaced by more urgent issues such as security, energy and economic risks.
Some analysts note that the EPC can be perceived as a “soft form” of attention — a welcome symbolism, but without a firm guarantee that promises will be translated into real steps.
Maintaining geopolitical interest in the Western Balkans
The EPC provides a way to keep the attention of leading European countries on the region, which is important in the context of competing influence from countries such as Russia and China.
President of the Northern Republic of Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska – Davkova said at the meeting that Europe can’t be a geopolitical union if it doesn’t include the Balkans. The President added that the enlargement process must be guided by the Copenhagen criteria and not by bilateral disputes.
There is increased pressure on reforms – this is a signal to leaders in the Western Balkans that the European community expects results, not just promises – expectations regarding the implementation of reforms will be stricter.
Some countries such as Albania and Montenegro used these meetings to accelerate the European agenda and to state that they are ready and waiting for the EU to open new negotiation chapters or to propose concrete steps.
President of the Northern Republic of Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska – Davkova said also that the frequent externally imposed constitutional changes, 36 so far, pose a danger of suspending our parliamentary democracy. Such schemes are not a step towards reform, but a sign of fragility. Despite these obstacles, European integration remains our greatest inspiration and strategic aspiration. Macedonian citizens want a European future. Our 100% alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, including support for Ukraine, is a strategic and principled choice we made. Although we are not a member of the EU, we are ready to contribute to Europe’s security architecture. We are fully prepared to open Cluster 1, Foundations, and are already implementing the Reform Agenda of the Growth Plan 2024-2027. But, as the President of the European Commission has pointed out, the European Union must break the armour of consensus as soon as possible if it wants to complete the reunification of Europe and become a geopolitical factor again. Therefore, if the EU wants to be a geopolitical union, it must not leave the Western Balkans in a geopolitical vacuum, the President said in her address.
President Siljanovska – Davkova remainded also the European leaders that Macedonia has been stalled for 20 years after achieving he status of candidate for membership, and has faced bilateral issues with EU member states.
The EPC focused on the fact that security in Europe cannot be seen only as an internal EU problem, but as a continental task, including with the participation of non-EU countries.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who also participated in the meeting, said: “One of the biggest security challenges in Europe and in the Western Balkans is that Europe has no peace plan of its own and relies on others. As soon as Europe has its own peace plan, it will be safer and more protected. That’s how I see it.” Rama reiterated Albania’s determination to join the EU quickly: “We are not waiting, we are running. We are running very fast. We will be ready very soon, and it is up to the big players in the room not to wait anymore, but to embrace us and welcome us, because we will be a very big added value for the EU.”
President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said that this was a „strenuous but, I believe, good and successful day for Serbia”.Vucic went on to express his concern over Serbia’s multinational oil and gas company NIS and the U.S. sanctions coming into effect against it on Oct. 8, but stressed that Serbia will do its best to ensure regular fuel delivery. „I can say that we will ensure that Serbia has regular deliveries of all oil derivatives and that the people can lead decent, good and normal lives, and I believe we will manage to preserve all our friendships and all our partnerships”.
Forecasts
The main messages from the WB: Albania is running fast and enjoy growing visibility in continental forums, Serbia will manage to preserve all its friendships and all its partnerships, and NRM will do its best to not chance the Constitution again.
What matters is what happens after the EPC — whether the promises are actually fulfilled, which will determine public confidence in the process.
The EU is expected to propose clearly visible and binding steps for the Western Balkans: opening chapters, direct investment, aid, institutional integration.
After the EPC, the Western Balkan countries will likely insist that the EU propose concrete and measurable steps under the Growth Plan — more funding, pre-financing mechanisms to support reforms in the areas of rule of law, security, digitalization, and green transformation.
Countries like Montenegro and Albania, which are already making progress, will likely ask for the opening of new negotiation chapters or the acceleration of current ones, reducing bureaucratic and political obstacles.
The Western Balkans will seek commitments from the EU on assistance in addressing hybrid threats, migration, disinformation, cybersecurity, and defense cooperation to prevent a vacuum in which non-EU influences can grow (Russia, China, Turkey, etc.).
Western Balkan countries can demand improved mobility and transport connectivity, expanded cooperation in the recognition of professional qualifications, facilitation for businesses and citizens, increased transparency and accountability in reforms and compliance with EU criteria, participation in European policies, to prove that reforms are not just a declaration.
