Western Balkan leaders will meet in Durrës, Albania, on Monday for the Brdo-Brijuni Initiative Summit, with the main theme focusing on the European perspective for the Western Balkans, particularly highlighting the region’s Growth Plan.
The Brdo-Brijuni process is a joint Slovenian-Croatian initiative launched in 2013. Its members include Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia.
According to the Slovenian news agency STA, the summit in Durrës is being organized by the Presidents of Slovenia and Croatia, Nataša Pirc Musar and Zoran Milanović, and will be hosted by the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj.
Other regional leaders confirmed their attendance, including:
- Kosovo: President Vjosa Osmani
- Montenegro: President Jakov Milatović
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Presidency members Željka Cvijanović, Denis Beqirović, and Željko Komšić
- North Macedonia: President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova
- Serbia: President Aleksandar Vučić
The Brdo-Brijuni Initiative aims to encourage mutual cooperation and facilitate regional efforts toward EU integration. This year’s summit will carry the motto:
“Shared Interests, Joint Commitment for a Common Future: Together Towards the EU.”
In addition to the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries, discussions will focus on strengthening regional cooperation, organizers said.
Slovenia, as announced from Ljubljana, will once again emphasize at the Durrës summit that EU enlargement in the Western Balkans is the most effective geopolitical tool to ensure stability, peace, and security in the region.
Leaders will also focus on implementing the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which allows regional countries to gradually integrate into the EU and deliver concrete benefits to their citizens. To this end, the EU has established a €6 billion financial instrument for 2024-2027.
Expected allocations from the Growth Plan by 2027:
- Kosovo: €880 million
- North Macedonia: €750 million
- Albania: €920 million
- Serbia: €1.5 billion
- Montenegro: €380 million
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: €900 million
Funding for some countries was reduced by 10% due to delays in project implementation.
Brdo-Brijuni Initiative meetings have been held annually since 2013. Last year, in Montenegro, leaders stressed the importance of good neighborly relations and regional cooperation, committing to further reforms, strengthened strategic dialogue with the EU, and implementing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.
