Declaration from the Brussels Summit: The Future of the Western Balkans is in the EU

(Patria) - At the EU-Western Balkans Summit tonight in Brussels, a Declaration was adopted confirming the full and unequivocal commitment to the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans.

"The future of the Western Balkans is in our Union," the Declaration states, adding that "EU enlargement is a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity."

EU leaders also underscored that "in the context of radical changes in the global geopolitical situation, Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, and at the start of a new EU leadership cycle, the strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans is more important than ever."

"A new momentum in the enlargement process and significant progress since our last summit has become evident. Accelerating the accession process, based on credible reforms by partners, fair and rigorous conditionality and the principle of own merits, is in our common interest," the Declaration reads.

The document welcomes the determination of Western Balkan partners to respect and commit to fundamental European values and principles, in line with international law and a renewed commitment to the primacy of democracy, fundamental rights and values, and the rule of law.

"The rule of law, freedom of expression, independent and pluralistic media and a strong role for civil society are key to ensuring a functioning democracy. In this regard, actions will speak louder than words as partners take responsibility and implement necessary reforms, especially in the area of fundamentals," the Declaration states.

It also conveys that support for Ukraine remains a clear sign of strategic orientation. All Western Balkan countries are called upon to "achieve rapid and sustainable progress towards full alignment with the EU's common foreign and security policy," including sanctions, their implementation and prevention of circumvention.

Regarding regional cooperation, it was underlined that reconciliation, inclusive regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations, including with EU member states, are an integral part of the enlargement process.

"Additional decisive efforts are still needed in reconciliation and regional stability, as well as in finding and implementing definitive, inclusive and binding solutions for regional and bilateral disputes between partners and problems rooted in the legacy of the past, all in line with international law and established principles, including the Agreement on Succession Issues, as well as for remaining cases of missing persons and issues of war crimes," the Declaration states.

EU leaders also stressed that "the lack of normalisation of relations between Pristina and Belgrade hampers both partners," and called on Serbia and Kosovo to implement, without delay, all agreements reached within the dialogue on normalisation of relations, including the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation.

They also welcomed the alignment of Western Balkan partners with the Declaration.

Tonight's gathering in Brussels is the first EU-Western Balkans summit attended by new members of European structures.

Regional leaders participating in the Summit included Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović, President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski and President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić.