BRUSSELS – High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell hosted an informal meeting with Western Balkans leaders on Wednesday in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the European External Action Service (EEAS) stated. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Denis Bećirović, President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić and Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Montenegro Filip Ivanović.
The discussion centred on the pressing geopolitical challenges, particularly the damaging impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and China’s efforts to expand its economic influence. High Representative Borrell and the Western Balkans leaders discussed the importance of strengthening resilience, emphasising the need for strategic alignment with the European Union to safeguard regional stability.
EEAS stated that the meeting was an opportunity to recall the need to resolve existing bilateral disputes and that High Representative Borrell underlined the importance of good neighbourly relations, achieved through dialogue and compromise, as essential steps toward EU integration.
High Representative Borrell highlighted that the Western Balkans is an integral part of Europe’s future. He emphasised the importance and strength of EU-Western Balkans ties, and reiterated that EU membership is within reach, provided that the key reforms are pursued with renewed focus.
“The leaders must take bold, strategic decisions to advance their European aspirations”, Josep Borrell said.
He concluded by reaffirming the EU’s commitment to supporting the Western Balkans on their European path, highlighting that enlargement remains a top priority for the EU.
EEAS stated the annual gathering of the High Representative and Western Balkans leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly “reflects the European Union’s commitment to our partnership with the Western Balkans – our future member states”.