News: Western Balkans–EU Summit: Brussels reaffirms a more flexible and gradual enlargement approach

The EU–Western Balkans summit held in Tivat brought together more than thirty European leaders and confirmed Montenegro as the most advanced country in the EU accession process. Podgorica has recently closed several negotiating chapters and has entered the phase of drafting its accession treaty, with local authorities suggesting a possible EU membership by 2028.

During the summit, Brussels reaffirmed a more flexible and gradual approach to enlargement, also supported by a Franco-German proposal that foresees greater integration of candidate countries into the single market and EU institutions even before formal accession. The aim is to make the process more credible and accelerate its pace.

As for the other countries in the region, Serbia remains at the centre of EU concerns due to its relations with Russia and China and slow domestic reforms. Albania continues its path towards EU membership but faces pressure linked to political tensions and environmental disputes over a controversial real estate project. North Macedonia remains blocked due to bilateral disputes with Bulgaria.

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are still in the early stages of the accession process, with challenges related respectively to stalled internal reforms and the lack of recognition of independence by some EU member states. The summit highlighted the EU’s intention to revive the enlargement perspective for the Western Balkans through a more gradual and integrated model, with Montenegro emerging as the leading frontrunner.

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