European Council President Antonio Costa has officially begun a comprehensive diplomatic tour of the Western Balkans, underscoring the European Union’s renewed commitment to the region's integration process. The visit aims to address both regional cooperation and the specific paths of individual nations toward EU membership.
Costa’s itinerary began today in Tirana, Albania, where he held high-level discussions with President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama. He also engaged with students at the College of Europe’s Tirana campus, highlighting the importance of the next generation in the European project. Following his stay in Albania, Costa traveled to Skopje to meet with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.
On Wednesday, June 3, the President will arrive in Pristina, Kosovo. His schedule includes meetings with Acting President Albulena Haxhiu, outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and representatives from opposition parties to discuss the current political landscape.
The tour will continue on Thursday, June 4, in Belgrade, Serbia, where Costa is set to meet with President Aleksandar Vučić, Speaker of the National Assembly Ana Brnabić, and leaders from civil society organizations.
Finally, the mission concludes on June 5 in Montenegro, where Costa will co-chair the EU-Western Balkans Summit. The summit is expected to focus on the core theme of "Shared Prosperity and Stability of the EU and the Western Balkans." Before departing for the region, Costa reaffirmed the EU's firm commitment to the enlargement process, signaling a strategic focus on stabilizing the bloc's southeastern flank.
