EU-West Balkans Summit in Tivat Sets Out Stepwise Path for Serbia’s EU Integration

French President Emmanuel Macron said France and Germany have proposed a step‑by‑step integration process for the Western Balkans, reiterating that Serbia is on a European path after a “very good” meeting with President Aleksandar Vučić at the EU‑Western Balkans summit in Tivat. He linked the agenda to Europe’s energy independence, security and migration routes.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters the summit will focus on the Growth Plan and merit‑based enlargement, urging faster progress and clear communication of benefits to candidate countries. "The enlargement process must become more agile; candidate countries must explain the benefits to their people, and we must do the same," she said.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola (Mecola) described the Tivat meeting as the first summit where a concrete momentum for enlargement is evident, stressing that the next step is turning words into deeds and that enlargement brings security, prosperity and a stronger Europe.