The presidency of the European Council announced on Friday, 23 October, that subsequent to the last meeting in Tivat in June 2026 (see EUROPE 13882/1), President of the European Council António Costa has invited the leaders of the Western Balkan countries and the heads of state or government from the EU27 to another EU–Western Balkans summit in Brussels on 25 November.
This meeting of the leaders will be an opportunity to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to enlargement and “encourage” candidate countries to expedite the reforms needed to advance towards accession. Another subject was mentioned in the press release: the participants will discuss the gradual integration process, specifically integration through the growth plan for the region.
Closer scientific cooperation. This announcement coincides with the adoption of a joint declaration that was published at the end of an EU–Western Balkans ministerial meeting of the Steering Platform on Research and Innovation that was held on Thursday, 22 October. “Together, we will develop concrete actions to strengthen research excellence [...] and bring the region closer to the European Union,” stated Commissioner for Startups, Research [and Innovation] Ekaterina Zaharieva.
Reiterating that the region’s countries are associated with the EU framework programmes for research and innovation, the declaration welcomes the progress that has been made. The participants reaffirm their desire to align themselves with the EU’s main initiatives in these areas. Among the measures mentioned is the development of a new regional action plan aligned with the next multiannual budget. The participants specify that the objectives and terms of the plan have not yet been defined.
Read the joint declaration: https://aeur.eu/f/o2o (Original version in French by Louis Dubar)