go to the original language article
Brussels – The Russian military aggression against Ukraine and the growing geopolitical challenges highlight the need for ever-stronger ties between the EU and the Western Balkans, it is stated in the “Brussels Declaration” adopted at today’s EU–Western Balkans Summit, which was also attended by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.
– We, the leaders of the European Union (EU) and its Member States, in consultation with our partners from the Western Balkans, have concluded the following today: Today’s meeting shows the strength of our relations and the benefits they bring to our citizens. The meeting is the most important opportunity of the year to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the European Union and the Western Balkans, the Declaration states.
The document reaffirms the full and unequivocal commitment to the Western Balkans’ perspective of membership in the European Union.
– The future of the Western Balkans is in our Union. Enlargement represents a real opportunity that must be seized. We welcome the new momentum and the progress achieved since the last meeting. Accelerating the accession process, based on credible reforms by the partners, fair and rigorous conditionality and on the principle of own merits, is in our mutual interest. Enlargement is a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity, as stated in the Granada Declaration. The urgency of our time requires a sustainable momentum. The countries aspiring to membership should accelerate their reform activities. In parallel, the Union should strengthen its internal foundations and reforms, it is emphasized in the “Brussels Declaration”.
The document stresses that inclusive regional cooperation, reconciliation and good-neighbourly relations remain key to building a common future, as well as to implementing international agreements in good faith and with tangible results, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Treaty of Friendship, Good-Neighbourliness and Cooperation with Bulgaria.
– Determined further efforts are still needed to foster reconciliation and regional stability, as well as to find and implement definitive, inclusive and binding solutions to the partners’ regional and bilateral disputes and issues, rooted in the legacy of the past, and in accordance with international law and established principles, including the Agreement on Succession Issues, as well as the remaining cases of missing persons and issues related to war crimes, the text adds.
The Declaration underlines that the EU welcomes the commitment of the Western Balkans partners to uphold European values and principles in accordance with international law, the primacy of democracy, fundamental rights and values and the rule of law, and expects them to demonstrate this in words and deeds, by taking responsibility and implementing the necessary reforms, especially in the area of fundamental principles.
– Freedom of expression, independent and pluralistic media, gender equality and the strong role of civil society are key to ensuring a functioning democracy. The EU calls on the partners to guarantee the rights of persons belonging to minorities and their equal treatment, the document states. (17 December 2025)