STORY
European leaders have used a summit with Western Balkans countries in Tivat, Montenegro, to underline their support for EU enlargement. European Council President Antonio Costa said the summit had demonstrated renewed momentum, including work on Montenegro’s accession treaty and progress in Albania’s accession process.
Costa said Montenegro could become the 28th EU member state by 2028, while Albania had moved into the next phase of its accession process. He also said the EU was unlocking the process for opening the first enlargement cluster for Ukraine and Moldova, presenting this as evidence that reforms and engagement with civil society could accelerate accession.
The summit came amid wider pressure for the EU to make enlargement faster and more credible. EU leaders and western Balkan counterparts discussed gradual integration and closer alignment before full membership, while the accession process remains dependent on reforms, good neighbourly relations and unanimity among existing member states.