EU-Western Balkans Summit: Building a Future of Peace and Prosperity

19.12.2024 Strategic Communications

The leaders of the European Union and of the Western Balkans met on 18 December 2024 for their first summit under the new EU leadership. The resulting Brussels Declaration highlighted pledges to commit to deepening cooperation on foreign policy, security and economic growth.

Group photo of political leaders in Brussels interior.

The Brussels Summit brought EU and Western Balkan leaders together amidst mounting global challenges.

Foreign Policy Alignment

EU leaders used the Summit to stress their unequivocal support for the Western Balkans’ EU membership perspective. They reiterated their conviction that enlargement is a strategic investment in peace and stability. While acknowledging the progress made by some partners in aligning with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), they urged others to demonstrate stronger commitments to democratic principles, sanctions enforcement, and active participation in EU missions.

Speaking to the media, HR/VP Kaja Kallas said: “The Western Balkans is an extremely important region for the European Union. They belong to Europe geographically, so it is very important that we also advance in our relationship.”

The Brussels Declaration made clear that full alignment with EU policies, including restrictive measures and multilateral defence cooperation, remains crucial for future integration.

Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: Accelerating Regional Progress and Integration

Another highlight of the Summit was taking stock of the first deliverables under the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which has the potential to double the region’s economic growth over the next decade. Leaders consider this initiative a transformative opportunity to bridge economic disparities and prepare the region for eventual EU membership.

The Growth Plan is a clear sign of the EU’s commitment to bringing the Western Balkans closer to the EU already during the enlargement process by spearheading integration in different policy areas even before accession.

Boosting Resilience against Hybrid Threats

The Brussels Declaration emphasized the importance of countering hybrid threats and information manipulation and foreign interference (FIMI). Leaders outlined a robust agenda to tackle disinformation campaigns, particularly those linked to Russian narratives targeting regional stability.

EU and Western Balkans leaders agreed to enhance cybersecurity cooperation, promote media literacy, and expand strategic communication about the benefits of EU integration. These efforts aim to build resilience against destabilizing external malign influences, such as Russian narratives and disinformation about Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

A United Future of Security and Prosperity

The Brussels Declaration charts a clear path forward for EU-Western Balkans relations. By focusing on foreign policy alignment, economic progress, sustainability, and hybrid threat resilience, the EU and its partners are forging a partnership that promises peace, prosperity, and deeper integration.

As HR/VP Kallas remarked:

“It is also clear that the Commission, together with the Commissioner for Enlargement [Marta Kos] and me, we want to see real advancement in the enlargement process during these five years of mandate that we have. So, we are willing to work for this.”

EU leaders also welcomed the fact that the Security and Defence Partnerships were agreed with Albania and North Macedonia this year, and that the continued European Peace Facility support is reinforcing security and resilience in the region.

Background

The EU – Western Balkans Summit is the most important political meeting of the year gathering the leaders of the EU and the region. Its aim is to create ever closer ties between the EU and the Western Balkans, set the strategic orientation and the to-do list for the way forward.

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