| 2022 European Union Western Balkans summit 4th European Union Western Balkans summit | |
|---|---|
| Host country |  Albania |
| Date | 6 December 2022 |
| Cities | Tirana |
| Follows | 2023 Brussels |
| Precedes | 2021 Kranj |
- https://www.dw.com/de/eu-und-westbalkan-mehr-bewegung-durch-russischen-krieg/a-63999030
- https://carnegieendowment.org/europe/strategic-europe/2022/12/after-the-tirana-summit-no-big-bang-in-the-balkans?lang=en
- https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-western-balkans-leaders-discuss-integration-migration-2022-12-06/
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/6/eu-western-balkans-leaders-meet-amid-fears-of-russian-influence
- https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-albania-tirana-serbia-f14d6d7168ab5a3f28ef2c626bbf9197
- https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/12/06/eu-accession-to-be-at-centre-of-summit-with-western-balkans
- https://de.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/12/06/vorweihnachtliche-annaherung-zwischen-eu-und-westlichen-balkanlandern
- https://www.euronews.com/2022/12/07/eu-summit-balkans
- https://theweek.com/news/world-news/europe/958784/the-eu-accession-hopes-in-the-western-balkans
- https://www.evropaelire.org/a/samiti-ne-tirane-ballkani-perendimor-/32162996.html
- https://ata.gov.al/2022/12/06/permbledhje-samiti-i-tiranes-terheq-vemendjen-e-medias-nderkombetare/
- https://www.aa.com.tr/sq/politik%C3%AB/rama-p%C3%ABr-samitin-be-ballkani-per%C3%ABndimor-%C3%ABsht%C3%AB-nj%C3%AB-vler%C3%ABsim-strategjik-p%C3%ABr-shqip%C3%ABrin%C3%AB-/2755355
Background
editSince the early 2000s, the European Union (EU) has prioritised the political and economic development of the Western Balkans, recognising the region's importance of the region's stability and its eventual integration into the union.[1][2] The formal accession process for the Western Balkans began with the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP), which was designed to enhance the region's transition from post-socialist states to stable democratic nations capable of meeting European Union membership criteria.[3] The EU's engagement with the region has been characterised by a series of initiatives and agreements aimed at promoting political and economic reforms, enhancing regional cooperation, and improving the economy, governance, human rights standards and the rule of law. While significant progress has been made by certain countries, others remain at earlier stages of the process. As of 2022, Montenegro and Serbia were granted EU candidate status and were in the midst of accession negotiations.[4][5] Albania and North Macedonia had also received candidate status, although their progress was contingent upon the resolution of specific issues.[6][7] Bosnia and Herzegovina had to obtain candidate status, while the partial recognition of Kosovo within the EU continued to complicate its path toward integration.[8][9]
The fourth edition of the European Union Western Balkans summit convened on 6 December 2022 in Tirana, Albania, marking the inaugural summit to be held outside the borders of the EU.[10][11] The summit was a key component in advancing the objectives defined in the Strategic Agenda for 2019 to 2024 of the European Council (EC).[10] It brought together representatives from the six Western Balkans countries, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, along with notable representatives from the EU member states and other institutions.[10] Held against the backdrop of several geopolitical tensions, particularly in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the summit underscored the EU's strategic response to the growing security concerns across Europe and underscored the need for a coordinated response from EU institutions.[12] Meanwhile, the increasing economic and political influence of both China and Russia in the Western Balkans further highlighted the necessity for the EU to intensify its engagement with the region.
Summit
editImpact of Russia-Ukraine War
editThe summit addressed the economic and political impacts of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the Western Balkans, with the EU reiterating its firm support for the region in managing these challenges. Foremost among the key discussions was the EU's recognition of Russia's responsibility for the crisis, as well as its strategy to assist the Western Balkans in managing its negative consequences. The EU introduced a Energy Support Package valued at €1 billion in grants, which is expected to mobilise up to €2.5 billion in investments. The package includes direct support for vulnerable families and small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as investments in renewable energy projects, energy efficiency measures, and improvements to energy infrastructure, as well as district heating systems.
Additionally, the EU launched the REPower EU Plan, which seeks to reduce dependency on Russian energy through common energy purchasing platforms and integration of the Western Balkans into the EU energy market.
Attendance
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The EU's delegation at the summit included notable figures such as President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, President of the European Council Charles Michel, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi and Secretary General of the Council Thérèse Blanchet.[13] They reaffirmed the EU's commitment to advancing the Western Balkans' integration, stressing the importance of accelerating the accession process, contingent upon credible reforms, strict conditionality, and a merit-based approach.[13]
References
edit- ^ "EU enlargement policy". European Council (EUCO). Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Stabilization and Association Process in the Banlkans: integration options and their assessment". World Bank Group (WBG). Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Stabilisation and association process". EUR-Lex. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Enlargement: Montenegro". European Council (EUCO). Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Enlargement: Serbia". European Council (EUCO). Archived from the original on 29 September 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Enlargement: Albania". European Council (EUCO). Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Enlargement: North Macedonia". European Council (EUCO). Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Enlargement: Bosnia and Herzegovina". European Council (EUCO). Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Enlargement: Kosovo". European Commission (EC). Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Eu-Western Balkans summit in Tirana, 6 December 2022". European Council (EUCO). Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Eu Western Balkans Summit". European Investment Bank (EIB). Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Eu, Western Balkans Nations Hold Summit In Tirana Amid Ukraine War". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 6 December 2022. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Eu-Western Balkans Summit in Tirana reaffirms the Eu membership perspective of the Western Balkans and Eu's strategic partnership with the region". Tirana: European Commission (EU). 6 December 2022. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2024.