European Union and Western Balkan leaders met on Friday in Tivat, Montenegro, for a high-level summit where the future of EU enlargement once again took center stage — with particular attention on Albania and Kosovo, two of the most strategically significant countries in the region’s European integration process.
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| The image reflects the high-level summit in Tivat, where leaders of the European Union and the region, under the leadership of European Council President António Costa, discussed new "creative" models to accelerate the integration of Albania and Kosovo into the European family. |
EU officials, led by European Council President António Costa, have emphasized that the bloc is now reviewing new approaches to speed up integration for the region’s six Western Balkan partners, including Albania and Kosovo.
Albania Positioned as a Front-Runner in EU Accession
Among all candidate countries, Albania continues to be viewed by EU institutions as one of the most advanced in the enlargement process, alongside Montenegro.
Tirana has made steady progress in aligning its legislation with EU standards across multiple policy areas, known as accession “chapters.” However, full membership still depends on unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states for each stage of the process.
The EU’s Western Balkans Growth Plan is expected to play a key role in further accelerating Albania’s integration by linking financial support with reforms in governance, rule of law, and economic competitiveness.
EU leaders are expected to assess Albania’s progress during the summit and explore ways to deepen gradual integration even before full membership is achieved.
Kosovo’s European Path Tied to Normalization with Serbia
Kosovo’s EU perspective remains closely linked to the normalization of relations with Serbia, a condition repeatedly highlighted by EU officials.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but Serbia does not recognize it, creating one of the main political obstacles in the enlargement process.
At the summit, Kosovo is represented by acting President Albulena Haxhiu, as the country continues to navigate a complex domestic political period marked by frequent elections and institutional transitions.
During recent discussions, EU officials reiterated that progress in dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is essential for Kosovo’s European future. European leaders have stressed that normalization is not optional but a core requirement for advancing any EU-related negotiations.
Regional Integration and Security Concerns
The summit in Tivat also focused on broader regional stability, with Albania and Kosovo both seen as key contributors to security and cooperation in the Western Balkans.
EU leaders discussed strengthening resilience in the region, improving economic integration, and reducing vulnerabilities linked to external influence.
The Western Balkans Growth Plan remains the main framework for gradually integrating countries like Albania and Kosovo into the EU single market before full accession.
New Models of EU Integration Under Discussion
Attention was also drawn to proposals by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has suggested new “creative” models of integration for candidate countries.
These include intermediate steps such as observer status for Western Balkan countries and other forms of partial institutional participation in EU structures prior to full membership.
For Albania and Kosovo, such proposals are being viewed as potential transitional mechanisms that could maintain momentum in the enlargement process, even if full membership timelines remain uncertain.
Strong Political Signals but No Final Declaration
Unlike previous summits, no final joint declaration is expected from the Tivat meeting, reflecting the EU’s current focus on reaffirming existing commitments rather than introducing new policy breakthroughs.
However, one of the few concrete outcomes anticipated is the possible inclusion of the Western Balkans — including Albania and Kosovo — in the EU roaming-free zone in the coming year, a move that would directly benefit citizens and businesses across the region.
Kosovo and Albania at the Heart of EU Debate
While all Western Balkan leaders are participating in the summit, Albania and Kosovo remain central to the EU’s long-term enlargement strategy.
Albania is widely seen as one of the most prepared candidates for the next stage of accession talks, while Kosovo’s progress depends heavily on diplomatic normalization with Serbia and continued institutional reforms.
Despite political challenges, EU leaders reiterated that the European future of both Albania and Kosovo remains firmly on the table, with enlargement described by António Costa as “a real opportunity in the coming years.”
The summit continues against a backdrop of complex regional politics, but for Tirana and Pristina, it reinforces a consistent message from Brussels: the path toward Europe remains open, but requires sustained reform, cooperation, and political stability.