Yesterday’s [6 May] EU-Western Balkans Zagreb Summit is a positive signal to the region, but proved to be more business as usual, failing to deliver stronger commitments from both sides. The European perspective of the Western Balkans needs the unequivocal support of the EU, but it also needs direct discussion and concrete actions.  

The EU financial support package of €3.3 billion is more than a symbolic gesture, as it will lead to deeper cooperation with the region. The European Commission must also include the Western Balkans in the EU reconstruction plan, as the plan will play an important role in determining the political priorities of the Western Balkan countries. Both the package and plan should be in line with the Green Deal, and support investment in a more socially, economically and environmentally resilient Europe.  

The European Council finally decided to open accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia last March, but failed to address the decision in the summit’s official statement yesterday. As both countries have presented significant democractic reforms, it is now crucial for the EU to move forward with the negotiations. The European Greens have long called for the EU accession process to start with these two countries, as the future of the Western Balkans as a whole is in the EU.  

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