Today, June 5, a summit of EU leaders with those of the Western Balkans countries is being organized in Tivat, Montenegro. Acting President Albulena Haxhiu, who will represent Kosovo at the event, has said that she will demand fair and equal treatment in the enlargement process.
A statement from the Presidency indicated the position that Haxhiu will express at the summit.
"At this summit, Acting President Haxhiu will represent the Republic of Kosovo and will reaffirm the country's commitment to European integration, fair and equal treatment in the enlargement process, as well as regional cooperation in the function of peace and stability," the Presidency's announcement states.
The summit brings together EU and Western Balkan leaders to discuss the region's European perspective, the Growth Plan, as well as security and stability issues.
Ahead of the summit, the countries of the region were visited by the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa. On Wednesday, he stayed in Pristina, where he said that if Kosovo fulfills its obligations regarding European integration, there will be no problems from the EU side.
"Every problem has its time. We have agreed on the reform agenda, on the process towards EU membership. It is very important that Kosovo step by step delivers on what we have agreed. The assessment is that at the end of the process we will no longer have any problems from the EU side. What is needed at the moment is this great national consensus regarding EU membership, and this can be translated into concrete actions," Costa said.
Of the countries in the region, only Kosovo has not been granted candidate status by the EU. The problem with this decision is the fact that the state is not recognized by five member states: Spain, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Cyprus.
At the summit in Tivat, Kosovo will seek to remove obstacles of this nature.
And, the start of the summit was preceded by tensions between Montenegro and Serbia.
For security reasons, Montenegrin authorities have not allowed entry into the country to 87 Serbs with criminal records and a history of violence during protests in Serbia.
On Wednesday, the day before the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, they were returned by the Montenegrin authorities on the same plane - that of the state-owned company "Air Serbia".
In response, Serbia has arrested 30 Montenegrin citizens at Belgrade airport and denied entry to many others through road border crossings.
Friday's summit is expected to be one of the most important diplomatic events in Montenegro's history. It will be attended by senior European and regional leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Meanwhile, the EU has confirmed that the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, will not attend the summit due to health reasons.
"Montenegro's EU membership by 2028 - a reality"
At a press conference following the European Union summit with leaders of the Western Balkan states, in Tivat, Montenegro, European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović said that Montenegro's membership in the EU by 2028 is possible and a realistic goal.
"We have shown prudence and conveyed the message that Montenegro is part of Europe. This summit showed that the enlargement policy is important and that it is a strategic investment. Montenegro's European path has gone through different phases - success, unfortunately also stagnation, but since 2023, Montenegro's goal is to join by 2028, and it has been a national project. I strongly believe that this goal is feasible and achievable," said Milatović.
Costa, meanwhile, said that the EU is a community of values and an alliance of success. He said that the membership of the Western Balkans is a priority for the EU. "The region is part of Europe and I think a strong message was sent today," he said.
Von der Leyen said that today's discussions showed how strong the ties between the EU and the region are and that it is not just about promise for the future, but about strategic direction.
EU-Western Balkans summit in Tivat ends without joint declaration
The official part of the EU-Western Balkans summit has concluded in Tivat, Montenegro. At the end of the summit, a joint statement was not adopted, but the European Union issued a communiqué, in which it was stated that European leaders welcomed the ongoing reforms and reaffirmed their commitment to the EU's enlargement process, based on merit.
The post-summit communiqué stressed that good neighborly relations and regional cooperation remain essential for reaping all the benefits of closer integration. It also underlined the importance of further strengthening cooperation in the field of foreign policy, security and defense.
The EU's concrete offers to the Western Balkan countries were also discussed, including "green lanes", progress towards integration into the EU's Single Market and the SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) system, as well as ongoing investments in digital connectivity across the region.
Building on this progress, the summit also highlighted new opportunities for cooperation, mobility and connectivity in the region.
The communiqué announced the launch of closer cooperation between the Western Balkans and the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, with the aim of strengthening resilience to cyber threats.
The launch of a new mobility programme, funded by the EU together with the Regional School for Public Administration, will enable up to 100 civil servants from the Western Balkans to gain professional experience in the administrations of EU member states.
The European Commission's intention to expand the DiscoverEU program, which includes the provision of free travel tickets for 18-year-olds, to young people from all countries in the region starting in 2027, was also announced.
It was also confirmed that the European Commission has prepared the next steps towards establishing roaming agreements between the EU and the Western Balkans.
The statement also confirmed that the EU has distributed 673.6 million euros from the Growth Plan to the countries of the region since 2024. Meanwhile, the leaders of the region were encouraged to make the most of the opportunities offered by the Growth Plan by implementing reforms within the foreseen deadlines.
This EU plan for the period 2024-2027, worth 6 billion euros, aims to accelerate the region's economic rapprochement with the EU and enable its gradual access to parts of the common market, before full membership. /REL
Haxhiu: It is time for the EU to unite to grant Kosovo candidate country status
Kosovo's acting president, Albulena Haxhiu, has said that the time has come for the European Union to join forces and grant Kosovo candidate country status, more than three years after it applied for membership.
In his speech to European leaders at the EU-Western Balkans summit, Haxhiu stated that the enlargement of the European Union should be seen as a strategic necessity for the peace, security and stability of the continent, especially in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the increase in hybrid threats in Europe and the region.
"Kosovo is among the most pro-European societies in the region. We have proven our commitment through reforms, full compliance with the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, and our contribution to regional peace and stability," she told European leaders, according to the Presidency's announcement.
She underlined that Kosovo's progress should also be recognized in the European integration process, adding that more than three years after applying for membership, it is time for the EU to unite around a decision on the candidate country status for Kosovo and the opening of membership negotiations.
"Kosovo does not seek shortcuts. We seek a fair, credible and merit-based process. The membership process has transformative power for democracy, institutions and the economy, so it is time for Kosovo to take the next step," Haxhiu stressed.
In her speech, Haxhiu also welcomed the EU's decision to open negotiations for integration in the "Roam Like at Home" area, as well as the steps towards gradual integration within the framework of the Growth Plan and the Regional Common Market. She emphasized that gradual integration should serve the ultimate goal: full membership in the European Union.
The Acting President also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, the implementation of agreements reached, and the equal treatment of all countries on the European path, without political obstacles when EU standards are met.
Speaking about regional security, she stressed that security challenges in the Western Balkans must be addressed with clarity and responsibility. In this context, Haxhiu recalled that almost three years after the terrorist attack in Banjska, there is still no justice for the murdered Kosovo policeman, Afrim Bunjaku, while the main perpetrator, Milan Radoićić and his paramilitary group continue to be free and protected by Serbia.
"In conclusion, Acting President Haxhiu reaffirmed that Kosovo is ready to continue reforms, deepen cooperation with the European Union and contribute to a safer, more democratic and more integrated Western Balkans in the European family. She emphasized that equal treatment of minorities is a European value, sanctioned in the treaties of the European Union, and that all states must adhere to European standards for the protection of human and minority rights," the announcement states.
When will Albania join the EU? Rama: Three things are unpredictable: God, sex, the EU
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has said that Europe needs a "Helmut Kohl moment," calling for countries in the region to be treated as part of the European family.
Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia have been seeking membership in the European Union for years, but have yet to meet the necessary conditions. However, Albania and Montenegro are further along in this journey.
Before the start of the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tivat, Rama was asked when Albania would join the EU, and he replied that he could not know.
"There are three things you cannot predict: God, sex, and the EU," Rama answered the question.
🤣 Albanian PM Edi Rama on when Albania will join the EU:
- NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 5, 2026
"There are three things you can't predict: God, sex and the EU."
Probably the most accurate description of EU enlargement ever. pic.twitter.com/a8tGvClpul
Haxhiu: A wider EU is the strongest response to those who want instability in Europe
The acting president of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, has emphasized the importance of Kosovo's inclusion in European processes and has called for equal treatment on the path towards the European Union.
In her statement to the media, she emphasized that the future of the region lies within the European Union. Haxhiu called Kosovo's participation in this summit very important.
"As you know, today we will discuss important topics related to security and EU enlargement. I must emphasize that our future is in the European Union. A united and wider European Union is the strongest response to those who want to create instability in Europe," she said.
Haxhiu said that Kosovo has made important reforms and is working towards a European future, being fully in line with the EU forum and security policy.
"From this summit we expect fruitful discussions from all representatives and positive results. This is why Kosovo deserves the questionnaire, candidate status and the opening of negotiations. I must emphasize that EU integration is not just a technical process. It is about prosperity, it is about peace, democracy and dignity for Europe and for our people", said Haxhiu.
Von der Leyen: We must make the enlargement process faster and more reliable
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that the enlargement process is based on merit and that if countries meet the required criteria, they move forward and become members of the European Union. She congratulated Albania and Montenegro on this.
Von der Leyen, speaking from Tivat, where the EU-Western Balkans summit is expected to begin, stressed that there is momentum to move towards integration.
"Enlargement is based on merit, but being based on merit does not mean being slow. We need to make the enlargement process faster and more credible. And the enlargement process needs to be more visible. Candidate countries need to explain to their citizens the benefits of enlargement, but also on our part, the member states need to explain to our citizens the benefits of enlargement. And this is the strategic component. Enlargement means more security, more prosperity and a greater role for Europe in the world. The momentum is there. Now we need to turn this momentum into movement and this movement into membership," she told the media.
France and Germany propose gradual integration of the Western Balkans into the EU
On the eve of the EU-Western Balkans summit, Germany and France have presented a so-called non-paper, through which they propose the gradual integration of the Western Balkan countries and Moldova into European Union programs and policies.
The aim of this initiative is to accelerate the integration of candidate countries and give a new impetus to reforms.
The Franco-German document, prepared by the cabinets of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, starts from the assessment that enlargement policy needs a new political impulse.
The proposal is expected to be one of the topics of discussion at the EU-Western Balkans summit, taking place today in Tivat, Montenegro.
This is German Chancellor Merz's second initiative regarding enlargement policy, after in May he came up with a proposal for "creative solutions" for countries involved in the EU accession process.
At the same time, this is the first joint initiative of France and Germany, two of the most influential states in the EU, dedicated to the future of the enlargement process.
A non-paper is an informal document used in European diplomatic circles to present new ideas, test positions, or propose solutions, without forcing the party presenting it to take a formal position.
The proposed Franco-German approach is based on the gradual integration of candidate countries into European policies and institutions, while maintaining the principle that progress depends on the results of reforms.
According to the document, the aim of the initiative is to simplify the current negotiation process, reduce procedural obstacles and enable the faster opening of negotiation chapters, when there are recommendations from the European Commission for this.
The authors of the document emphasize that the proposed model is not a substitute for full membership nor an extension of the membership process, but an effort to accelerate reforms and enable citizens of candidate countries to feel concrete benefits from European integration even before formal accession to the EU.
According to the Franco-German proposal, greater focus should be placed on the content of the reforms and less on procedural steps.
The document proposes the creation of a special pre-accession strategy, which would provide candidate countries with more concrete benefits even before full membership.
The envisaged mechanisms would be linked to progress in reforms, but would remain reversible in the event of a setback in the area of the rule of law or deviation from the fundamental values of the EU.
The European Commission is asked to prepare proposals that would facilitate such gradual integration.
Among the concrete proposals is the provision of privileged access to the EU common market, as well as the gradual inclusion of representatives of candidate countries in the work of European institutions, through observer status at certain meetings.
The highest level of gradual integration is referred to as full participation in the common market, according to the model of an enlarged European Economic Area, provided that the candidate country adopts and implements European legislation in key areas of negotiations and temporarily closes the relevant negotiation chapters.