| datum | 6 december 2022 11:26 |
|---|---|
| plaats | Tirana, Albanië |
| locatie | Tirana, Albania  |
| zender | EbS+ |
Agenda highlights
This is the first-ever summit between EU and Western Balkan leaders to take place in the Western Balkan region.
The summit is an opportunity to reconfirm the key importance of strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans, a region with a clear EU perspective.
The main topics of discussion will be:
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-tackling together the consequences the Russian aggression against Ukraine
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-intensifying political and policy engagement
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-reinforcing security and building resilience against foreign interference
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-addressing the challenges posed by migration, the fight against terrorism and organised crime
Leaders are expected to issue a declaration at the end of the summit.
All EU-27 member states and Western Balkans partners have been invited to the summit.
Live streaming
6 December 2022
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-09:00 Arrivals
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-10:00 Signing ceremony
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-11:45 Family photo
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-14:45 Press conference
Estimated schedule
Russia's war against Ukraine
Leaders will discuss cooperation in the face of common challenges stemming from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
They will more specifically look at how to tackle its negative effects on energy and food security in the Western Balkans.
Political and policy engagement
The EU and Western Balkans leaders will discuss ways of deepening political and policy engagement, with a particular focus on young people.
They will also take stock of the progress made:
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-towards integration of the Western Balkans with the EU internal market
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-on the modernisation of their payments systems in line with the EU standards
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-in the digital area
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-in the implementation of the EU-Western Balkans green lanes, an initiative to facilitate cross-border logistics and continuous flow of goods
Security and resilience against foreign interference
The summit will be an opportunity to discuss coordinated actions on security and defence issues, which have become even more relevant in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
This includes fighting foreign information manipulation and improving collective cybersecurity.
Migration management
Leaders will exchange views on jointly addressing migration management as numbers on the Western Balkans migratory route have increased substantially in the past year. This includes alignment on EU visa policy and cooperation on return systems.
They will also discuss how to strengthen collaboration on counter-terrorism and prevention of radicalisation.
Programme
06/12/2022
10:15
Arrivals and official welcome
11:00
Exchange of views
11:45
Family photo
12:15
Plenary session and working lunch
14:30
Press conference
Background information
The summit is part of the implementation of the European Council’s 2019-2024 Strategic Agenda.
Previous meetings
Leaders met in June 2022 to take stock of progress on key investments under the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans and discussed geostrategic issues.
The latest summit between EU and Western Balkans leaders was the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Brdo pri Kranju in October 2021. It was hosted by the Slovenian Presidency of the Council.
More info