European Union leaders meet Western Balkan counterparts in Brussels this week in a summit aimed at reaffirming the bloc’s enlargement policy, even as political divisions inside the EU and slow reform momentum in parts of the region continue to complicate accession prospects.
The EU–Western Balkans summit on Wednesday precedes a two-day European Council meeting, signalling an effort by Brussels to keep enlargement anchored to the EU’s broader geostrategic agenda. EU officials frame the process as a pillar of stability and security, particularly as the war in Ukraine has sharpened concerns about influence and alignment in the bloc’s neighbourhood.
Recent Council conclusions underline that enlargement remains merit-based and conditional, with rule of law, democratic standards and fundamental rights at its core. While welcoming progress by some candidates, the EU has made clear that reforms — particularly in the judiciary, anti-corruption efforts and public administration — will determine the pace of negotiations across the Western Balkans .
Montenegro and Albania are cited as having advanced further, with Montenegro provisionally closing additional negotiating chapters and Albania opening all negotiating clusters. By contrast, Serbia and North Macedonia face renewed pressure over stalled reforms and unresolved political commitments, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are urged to accelerate reforms amid persistent institutional and governance challenges .
The Council also stresses that good neighbourly relations and the resolution of bilateral disputes remain essential conditions, particularly in the context of the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue and North Macedonia’s outstanding constitutional obligations. At the same time, Brussels has sought to demonstrate tangible benefits of closer integration, including expanded access to EU programmes, lower banking transaction costs and gradual inclusion in parts of the single market.
Diplomats say the summit is unlikely to deliver immediate breakthroughs on accession timelines, but serves as a political signal that enlargement remains a long-term priority. Attention will then turn to the European Council, where EU leaders will weigh enlargement alongside foreign policy, budget pressures and continued support for Ukraine — a reminder that the future of the Western Balkans’ EU path is closely tied to the bloc’s own internal cohesion and strategic choices.