EU leaders welcomed the new momentum in the enlargement process

19.06.2026. 7:26 p.m

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The EU leaders welcomed the new momentum in the enlargement process and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting the gradual integration of the Western Balkans, based on merit and in a reversible manner, according to the conclusions of the European Council.

The Council of the EU, as stated, welcomed the holding of the EU Summit – Western Balkans in Tivat on June 5, which, as it was assessed, contributed to new momentum in the enlargement process.

Recalling its earlier conclusions, the European Council reiterates that the European Union will continue to closely cooperate with the Western Balkans and support its reform efforts on the way to EU membership.

“The European Council remains committed to the promotion of gradual integration between the European Union and the region during the enlargement process itself, based on merit and in a reversible manner,” according to the conclusions published on the Council’s website, after the two-day summit.

Conclusions were adopted on Ukraine, the Middle East, the next long-term EU budget (multiannual financial framework), competitiveness and global economic challenges, European defense and security, migration, illegal drugs, enlargement and reforms, the Republic of Moldova, the Western Balkans, as well as other topics, including Ebola, Armenia, respect for international law, islands and coastal communities.

The President of the European Council, Antonio Košta, said at the press conference that the positive momentum in the enlargement policy was created by the progress of Montenegro and Albania, as well as the successful summit of the European Union and the Western Balkans held in Tivat.

“We are progressing very quickly with Montenegro. We have reason to believe that it is possible to finish all negotiations by the end of this year,” Košta said, reports RTCG.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, assessed that the Cypriot presidency successfully motivated the candidate countries to speed up reforms.

“What made the Cypriot presidency so successful was the encouragement of the candidate countries to implement the necessary reforms, but also the rewards in the form of opening clusters or chapters, and even closing chapters,” said Von der Leyen.

The President of Cyprus, Nikos Hristodulidis, pointed out that Montenegro occupied a special place in the agenda of the Cypriot presidency.

“Montenegro was the first country I visited in the context of preparations for taking over the presidency of the Council of the European Union, and we achieved three intergovernmental conferences. First, four chapters were closed, which is of particular importance, and an ad hoc working group for the drafting of an accession agreement was also established, the first such group formed in the EU after 16 years,” said Hristodulidis.

He assessed that during the Cypriot presidency, a clear European perspective was restored to the accession process of the Western Balkans.

“Through our work, we gave a perspective to the Western Balkans accession process and confirmed the importance of enlargement as a geopolitical tool,” said the President of Cyprus.