EU Council chief voices support for Western Balkans' future in bloc

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - European Council President Antonio Costa reaffirmed support for the Western Balkans' future in the EU following a summit Wednesday.

"We firmly support the Western Balkans’ future in the European Union. Enlargement remains central to our shared objectives," Costa said in a statement after the EU-Western Balkans summit in Brussels.

He said enlargement is a “merit-based process,” not a “competition,” urging that faster-moving candidates should not be held back by others but instead inspire all by setting the pace.

Costa welcomed the "good progress" made by Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo in the last 12 months.

"Only by overcoming the past can the Western Balkans fully assume their role as future EU members, and contribute to a stable, prosperous, and united Europe. The road ahead will not be easy. Some reforms will be difficult, but they are worth it. And I believe that our partners are committed to delivering," he said.

He urged all to keep the momentum and reiterated support "every step of the way."

"Enlargement is a deeply transformational process. Socioeconomic convergence will anchor their future in the European Union. The EU is—and will remain—the Western Balkans’ most reliable partner. They are all part of the European family, and the European Union is their place," Costa added.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on US social media platform X that the summit reaffirmed the significance of the fact that their future “lies together.”

"We share more than geography with the Western Balkans. We share responsibility for Europe’s security. This is why the EU is stepping up security and defence cooperation with the region and reinforcing joint response against hybrid threats and foreign interference," she said.