European Council President Charles Michel has announced that an EU-Western Balkans Summit will take place in Brussels on December 18, the day before the European Council meeting. The summit will focus on the implementation of the Growth Plan, efforts toward regional integration, and opportunities for further enhancing the gradual integration of the region with the European Union.
In a letter published on the European Council website, Michel invited EU member state leaders to Brussels on December 19 for the first meeting since he assumed the role of president.
On December 18, at 5:30 p.m., the EU-Western Balkans Summit will begin. The afternoon session will address the implementation of the Growth Plan and regional integration efforts, as well as ways to improve gradual integration between the EU and the region. A working dinner will focus on common geopolitical challenges, Michel said.
“The current geopolitical context requires that we give new momentum to the EU’s work with countries in the region,” Michel added.
In his invitation, Michel emphasized that the situation in Ukraine would be at the center of the discussions. He stressed that the EU must support Kyiv for as long as necessary and ensure that international law prevails, while Russia’s invasion must be defeated.
The December European Council meeting will be an important opportunity to send a unified message of support for Ukraine, advocating for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace. Michel also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to join the summit in Brussels to share the latest developments on the ground and discuss how Europe can best assist Ukraine.
