In its conclusions document on Thursday 22 March, the European Summit said that enlargement of the EU to the Western Balkans would be examined by the Council in June.
In their conclusions document, Europe’s leaders said they were eagerly awaiting the summit in Sofia on 17 May which would reaffirm the region’s European prospects. The summit is expected to focus on the launch of tangible and visible initiatives to improve physical and human connectivity in the region and with the EU and examine ways of improving cooperation to face common challenges such as security and migration.
Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy said he had not yet decided whether to attend the summit because his country does not recognise the independence of Kosovo, which has been invited to the summit. He said the decision would be taken in the light of the format and the draft declaration, but it clearly generated concern, adding that he would attend the dinner on the day before the summit, a dinner to which only the EU28 would be admitted. He said he was a bit surprised that some people were talking about enlargement of the EU to countries that other member states don’t recognise (referring to Kosovo). (Original version in French Camille-Cerise Gessant, and the editorial team)