EU-Western Balkans Zagreb Summit reinforces determination to continue taking action on common security challenges.

Mr Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council.

The EU-Western Balkans Zagreb summit took place today via video conference. The EU leaders agreed on the Zagreb declaration, with which the Western Balkans partners have aligned themselves.

“The Western Balkans partners, in cooperation with the EU and with each other, will continue to take resolute actions against human trafficking, drug cultivation, money laundering and smuggling of human beings and drugs. The fight against the illicit trafficking of weapons provides an excellent example of how we can increase our security when we work together towards a common objective.”

 

Discussions during the summit he EU leaders stressed the importance of regional stability and cooperation stressing good neighbourly relations. The summit covered important topics on (I) European perspective; (II) COVID 19; (III) Regional cooperation; (IV) Socio-economic recovery and (V) Security and migration challenges, recommitting to strengthen support to the region's political, economic, and social transformation by carrying out and effectively implement the necessary reforms towards European values and principles and the primacy of the rule of law.

The EU and the Western Balkans share a number of common security challenges that demand coordinated individual and collective action. They agreed to advance cooperation on core security issues with more determination and in a more systematic way, including at operational level. The partners pledged to complement these efforts by developing inclusive instruments for intra-Western Balkans cooperation, drawing, where relevant, on EU tools and frameworks.

EU leaders also agreed to increase cooperation to counter terrorism and extremism, including financing, radicalization and the return of foreign fighters. Participants agreed that fighting corruption and organized crime is essential for the region's transformation, as well as for regional stability and security. 

The EU-Western Balkans Zagreb summit was chaired by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel and brought together the heads of state or government from EU member states and the leaders from the six Western Balkans partners.

Read more:

EU-Western Balkans Zagreb summit, 6 May 2020

Full text of Zagreb Declaration, 6 May 2020