EU-Western Balkans Summit on 18 December in Brussels with a Declaration on Enlargement

(Patria) - The European Union-Western Balkans Summit will be held on Wednesday, 18 December at the regular annual meeting, at the end of which a declaration will be adopted, and regional leaders are expected to align with it, Radio Free Europe reported today, which had insight into the draft declaration.

This will be the first summit chaired by Antonio Costa, the newly elected President of the European Council.

The declaration will mention that enlargement is a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability, and prosperity.

"There is a new dynamic in the enlargement process. Accelerating the accession process, based on fair and rigorous conditionality and the principle of own merits, is in our common interest," states, among other things, the draft final declaration that leaders will adopt at the end of the summit.

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

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, the draft states.

The text of the draft final declaration will also refer to the geopolitical context. In this regard, it will convey that support for Ukraine remains a clear sign of strategic orientation.

All Western Balkan countries will be 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.

EU leaders will praise those countries that already do so.

Regional cooperation will occupy an important part of the joint declaration, where it will be emphasised that reconciliation, inclusive regional cooperation, and good neighbourly relations, including with EU member states, are an integral part of the enlargement process.

"Regional and bilateral disputes rooted in the past have too long prevented focusing on the future. Implementing bilateral agreements in good faith and with tangible results, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation with Bulgaria, remains crucial. The absence of normalisation of relations between Pristina and Belgrade hinders both partners," the draft declaration states.

A special call will be addressed to Belgrade and Pristina to implement, without delay, all agreements reached within the dialogue on normalisation of relations, including the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation.