EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat Discusses Balkan Enlargement and Growth Plan

Leaders of the European Union and Western Balkan states gathered in Tivat, Montenegro, for an EU‑Western Balkans summit. The meeting was co‑chaired by European Council President Antonio Costa and Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović, with participation from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

The summit focused on accelerating the EU enlargement agenda, reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to admit Montenegro and Albania by 2028 while discussing a staged integration pathway for all six Balkan candidates. EU officials highlighted the 2023 Growth Plan, which has already channelled €675 million into the region’s economies and promised an additional €540 million. Proposed benefits for candidate countries include improved transport links, access to the EU energy market, student exchange programmes and the removal of roaming charges.

Officials warned of growing Russian and Chinese influence in the Balkans and stressed the need to bolster security, cyber‑resilience and defence capabilities through the European Peace Facility. No joint declaration was adopted at the summit, and the exact timetable for further reforms remains under discussion.